Michael Carrick: Middlesbrough boss happy with mentality of makeshift defenders

With Neto moved across into the middle, on-loan Aston Villa winger Samuel Iling-Junior has been pressed into service at left-back.

But it is the desire of his players to do a job for the team that has struck a chord with the Boro boss.

“A lot of it comes down to your mentality and your approach to it,” said Carrick.

“Some are not too keen and are almost put off by it, or you can the other way like the boys have and be really committed to it and enjoy that new challenge and the freshness of it.

“Jonny’s done it a few times and Neto’s done it in the past, but to see Neto do it has been particularly pleasing and Samuel has shown his versatility.

“There might be the odd mistake – which is only natural – but the players have given it everything they’ve got, which is great to see.”