Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick issues Ben Doak injury update that will concern Liverpool

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Ben Doak has been the Liverpool loanee success story of the season, with the winger making a real name for himself at Middlesbrough.

The teenage attacker has emerged as one of the best forwards in the Championship under Michael Carrick with the Riverside Stadium side firmly in the race for a play-off spot heading into the second-half of the season.

With Liverpool choosing to keep Doak at Middlesbrough for the remainder of the campaign, the Scottish international is at the best club possible for his development with the 19-year-old playing regular football under a manager who has been nothing short of exceptional in getting the best out of him.

However, Carrick has now issued an update surrounding Doak that could concern Liverpool following the closure of the January transfer window.

Doak set for lengthy spell out after picking up injury in training

Speaking to the press after last night’s loss against Sunderland, Carrick confirmed that Doak will be out for a few weeks after injuring his thigh in training, with the Liverpool loanee absent from last night’s matchday squad.

Carrick said when asked about Doak’s absence from last night’s Championship fixture: “He just felt his thigh during the week in training. We’ll see how it is. It won’t be a few days, it will be longer. Probably weeks, not ages but yeah, it won’t be days.”

With former Scotland international Steven Caldwell tipping Doak for big things at Liverpool when he returns in the summer, picking up an injury at this stage in the season is the last thing the winger would have wanted.

Yet with games coming thick and fast and Carrick’s update suggesting that Doak could be back within the month, the Liverpool loanee will already have the motivation needed to return better than ever for Middlesbrough, especially with a promotion charge on the table.

READ MORE: Ben Doak hailed for making the Championship look like a ‘playground’ on-loan at Middlesbrough

How good has Doak been at Middlesbrough this season?

Doak has been one of Middlesbrough’s best players this season and a key reason behind the former Premier League regular’s success in the Championship, with promotion a real possibility for Carrick and his team.

And Doak’s performances are reflected well in his stats, with the winger registering ten goal contributions in under 25 games and proving to be a real threat for defenders in the Championship for Middlesbrough.

Indeed, Liverpool know they have a potential superstar on their hands in Doak, and the attacker will want to return to Anfield ready to fight for a first-team spot in the summer, who Arne Slot could consider in pre-season.