Van den Berg missed Tuesday night’s win at Stoke with a knee issue that flared up in training on Monday and Carrick was then dealt a second blow when Edmundson was forced off early in the second half at the bet365 Stadium with an ankle problem.
With Matt Clarke having left in January, the double injury blow leaves Dael Fry as Boro‘s only fit senior central defender ahead of Saturday’s visit of Derby County, with Luke Ayling set to partner the Teessider in the heart of the defence if both van den Berg and Edmundson are ruled out.
Ayling replaced Edmundson for the second half at Stoke and played well.
Darragh Lenihan, who hasn’t played this season, is not yet anywhere near being ready to return, while Jonny Howson, who can also play in defence if needs be, is also still out injured. Howson hasn’t played since the draw at Plymouth back in December and is still not yet back in full training.
“Rav trained and felt his knee a bit yesterday,” said Carrick, outlining the injury situation.
“He’s had a bit of swelling around that so we’ll have to wait and see on that. We’re assessing it and seeing how he goes. George just pinched his ankle towards the end of the first half. We’ll have to see on that one. Sometimes those ones can go away as quickly as they come once the pain’s gone away. We’re hoping that’s the case.”
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Ayling helped Boro over the line for a crucial win at Stoke, and Carrick says the experienced defender has played a key role on and off the pitch in recent days.
He said: “I’ll give Luke a mention because, for him to come in after not playing the last game or so. He’s been captain a lot this season and he’s a really important personality in the group.
“The way he’s dealt with this period and this week has been pretty outstanding, to be honest.
“He’s stepped up, been the leader in the group and so seeing him come on as left centre half – I don’t think he’s played there before and yet he didn’t bat an eyelid – makes me feel really proud.
“That’s what it takes really. It makes me proud knowing we’ve got players like that.”
Updating on the absent Lenihan and Howson, Carrick said: “Darragh isn’t close. We’ve got to be careful with him. We’re hopeful he will be back at some point towards the end of the season though. Hopefully he’ll get back in and around it with us.
“Jonny is closer but is still not training with the group yet. We’ll see how that goes. We’ll see how George and Rav are. I thought Dael was immense as well tonight though and Luke has played has played centre-back at certain points in the season and can do it. We’ll find a way.”
