Michael Carrick insisted Blackburn Rovers are a better side than recent results have shown ahead of their trip to Middlesbrough.

John Eustace is still waiting for his first win as head coach following seven Championship matches without victory. Rovers have only lost two of those, with five draws highlighting how tight the margins have been.

Rovers need points on the board to secure their Championship safety but two wins in 19 league games has left fans concerned. They will be hoping to ease that pressure before the international break with three points at the Riverside Stadium.

Carrick believes Rovers have proven to be a good side this season and is paying little attention to their form line.

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"I take the league table with a pinch of salt, I think they are a good team," Carrick said.

"Watching them, they haven't had a run that they'd like in terms of wins but I watch their games and the result has been very tight every game.

"They are dangerous, the front three especially, they are a real threat. The results don't always tell you the full story, especially in this league. We won't be taken that for granted.

"We know it will be a very tough game, we say that most weeks, but this one especially will be."

Boro will have the same squad available as their midweek win over Birmingham City which made it three league wins in a row. Carrick hopes to have a few bodies back after the two-week break but won't rush players back.

“We’re hoping to be the same. We haven’t done a lot of training but hopefully at this moment in time, all the lads will be ready," Carrick said.

"Hopefully we'll have one or two back [over the break]. I don't want to jump the gun too much but hopefully, over the period of the international break, the boys will definitely be closer.

"Whether they're ready to come back straight away after that, we'll have to see but they'll be there or thereabouts. Josh (Coburn) is alright. He's in that group with the likes of Hayden [Hackney], Dael [Fry] and Alex [Bangura]. He's doing well, it's all positive at the moment.

"It's just picking the right time. It's just a bit of time and rehabbing and getting a bit stronger and a bit fitter. There are no major issues, it's just playing its natural course and hopefully, he'll be back pretty soon with the rest.”