Michael Carrick says Boro are "chomping at the bit" to return to action on Wednesday.
Boro travel to Sheffield United for their latest test in the Sky Bet Championship.
Here are some of the key quotes from Carrick's pre-match press conference...
ON NEW SIGNINGS SETTLING IN…
This has been a great opportunity to bed them into the group, so we’ve tried to make the most of that. The boys have settled in fantastically well and really quickly. There’s a good feeling among the group. There’s a feeling of freshness and of being re-energised in some ways but it doesn’t feel new, which is important. When there are changes it can feel quite new, but it hasn’t felt like that. The players have trained hard and trained well, and we feel we’re in a good place. We came out of the window in good shape and happy with what we have.
ON RECENT FORM…
It’s quite clear we can improve our results of late. What is clear to me is that we are capable of putting a run of positive results together. We’ve shown that over a period of time but sometimes during a season, there are runs of form you can do without and we’ve certainly had that. We need to do something about it. I’m excited about what is ahead and we’ve got some really good games coming up. It’s all to play for.
ON FACING SHEFFIELD UNITED…
We’re going there looking forward to the game. We’ve prepared well and the boys have trained well, but there’s nothing like playing games. It’s always a challenge going there, especially with the team and squad Chris (Wilder) has assembled. It’s a good challenge for us but we will go there feeling confident and looking forward to it.
ON TRAINING OVER THE LAST WEEK…
The players have been great. They’ve trained hard since the Sunderland game. The first day back, they came in with a real hunger and drive, so much so that I didn’t really need to say too much to them. I’ve been really encouraged by the way they’ve done that. They attacked the life out of the week and trained unbelievably well. They’re chomping at the bit for a game now.
ON KELECHI IHEANACHO…
Kel has excellent experience and pedigree. He played against us at the Riverside last season and we managed to come out on top, but he showed his quality and what he can bring. He’s desperate to play. He has a fantastic personality and has been great since he has been here. He has trained brilliantly with the boys and has been desperate to get started.
ON SAMUEL ILING-JUNIOR…
For someone who is so young he has had an incredible experience at the clubs he has played for. He can play a wide range of positions and if you ask him, it doesn’t faze him, he is happy to play all the positions. It is a hell of a skill to have the ability to be able to do that. He is an attacking player and wants to commit and be positive and is a really exciting player. Sam has a great head on his shoulders. He is so switched on and his attitude is top class.
ON THE SEASON SO FAR…
It’s pretty obvious we haven’t picked enough points up, based on our performances. We have to find that way to accumulate points. The encouraging part for me is what we can do and what is possible. We have to prove that and earn it, but it gives us a lot of belief knowing what is possible.