CARRICK LOOKING AT THE POSITIVES

MICHAEL Carrick remains calm despite the fact Middlesbrough are still looking for their first win of the Championship season, and says he was “really encouraged” by his side’s display in the draw with Huddersfield at the Riverside.

- Mark Kirk

Boro made the play-offs last season and are targeting another promotion push this term, but lost their first two games of the campaign without scoring a goal.

Carrick felt his side were much improved in the home draw with the Terriers, with Hayden Hackney rescuing a point for Boro with a stunning 61st-minute strike to cancel out Dael Fry’s own-goal two minutes into the second half.

Boro, who sold last season’s Championship Golden Boot winner Chuba Akpom to Ajax this week, handed debuts to striker Emmanuel Latte Lath, who arrived from Atalanta, and left-back Lukas Engel, who joined from Silkeborg.

Carrick believes his team will get better and better as the new recruits find their feet.