RAV VAN DEN BERG and Lukas Engel are closing in on a return to first-team action with Middlesbrough after stepping up their respective recovery programmes during the international break.
Van den Berg has been sidelined since suffering a knee injury a month ago, while Engel’s last appearance came back in August, meaning he has been absent for three months.
The defensive duo have been training on the grass at Rockliffe Park though, and should be able to resume full sessions with the rest of the Boro squad in the next couple of weeks.
“Both Lukas and Rav are back on the grass,” confirmed Boro boss Michael Carrick. “Lukas has been out for a long period of time so might take a little bit longer in terms of coming back into training fully with the squad. Rav is gradually getting back on the grass and hopefully won’t be too long.”
Van den Berg’s knee injury occurred in training, and while the problem was not too severe, Boro’s medical staff have been understandably careful with his recovery.
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The 20-year-old is reportedly the subject of strong transfer interest from Crystal Palace, but Carrick is only too aware of his importance at Boro.
“His issue with his knee was just one of those things,” he said. “He planted his foot with no one around him and felt discomfort. It’s a one-off kind of thing for him
“We forget how young Rav is sometimes. There is definitely that duty to look after the younger boys – preventing the injuries to start with, but also preparing them for a career.
“Rav is still so young and yet relatively experienced as well. Hopefully, we get him back soon.”
