Ben Doak could be back in full training for Middlesbrough next week according to manager Michael Carrick.
The Boro boss ruled out any involvement for Doak, or for midfielder Riley McGree, for Saturday's home Championship game with Derby County, but indicated that the Liverpool loanee, who has missed the last four games through injury, is nearing a return.
Boro desperately need a spark to arrest a slide which has seen them lose six of their last seven Championship games to fall from fifth to 13th and lie seven points off the play-off places, and Doak's absence has been one factor in that slump.