Coach Michael Carrick shed light on the injury status of Seny Dieng, who slipped on a clearance two days prior, expressing concerns about the African champion’s availability for the upcoming fixtures.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the League Cup match against Port Vale, Carrick provided insights into Dieng’s condition, stating, “Seny felt his thigh when he slipped on a clearance.
We are still waiting for the results of the exams. I hope this doesn’t last, but at this point, we are still waiting for the results.”
As a consequence of the injury, Seny Dieng will not be part of the squad traveling to Burslem for the quarter-final clash against Port Vale.
The immediate concern is whether the talented goalkeeper can recover in time for the Championship fixture against West Brom on Saturday, though Carrick expressed uncertainty about the timeline.
The absence of Seny Dieng during the upcoming fixtures prompts Carrick to explore contingency plans.
With the potential impact of Dieng’s injury lingering, Carrick raised the possibility of goalkeepers leaving for international duty during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in January.
Carrick stated, “We are obviously putting our plans in place. It will depend on how the injury progresses with Seny. Tom (Glover) was not part of Australia’s last rally (which will play in the Asian Cup in January).
So there are a lot of ifs and buts. We’ll take it as it comes.
Yes, there is a possibility that one or two of the goalkeepers will leave for selection. We will have plans for both scenarios.”
The uncertainty surrounding Seny Dieng’s availability adds a layer of complexity to Carrick’s strategic planning, emphasizing the need for adaptability in the face of unforeseen challenges.
Michael Carrick has been speaking to the media ahead of the Carabao Cup Quarter Final with @OfficialPVFC 🗣️📹 #UTB
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) December 18, 2023
