Middlesbrough could sign promotion-winning hero on free transfer to solve major Michael Carrick problem

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Middlesbrough are battling to secure a place in the play-offs, but recent injury woes are hampering their chances of doing so.

Boro managed to pick up a 2-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers on March 11th, moving them to within three points of the top-six.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
6	CoventryCoventry	37	16	8	13	52	48	4	56
7	Bristol CityBristol City	37	13	15	9	47	40	7	54
8	MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough	37	15	8	14	57	48	9	53
9	BlackburnBlackburn	37	15	7	15	41	38	3	52
10	WatfordWatford	37	15	7	15	47	50	-3	52

However, Middlesbrough have been unable to put together a consistent run of form for some time, seeing Michael Carrick’s future called into question.

There are a number of reasons for the Teessiders’ inconsistent displays across 2024/25, but one of the main ones has been the ongoing injury problems at the Riverside Stadium.

It’s been a major issue since the start of the campaign, with Boro having a staggering 10 players sidelined for their second game of the season versus Portsmouth.

Now, Carrick has seen his backline ravaged by injury, leaving him with zero fit centre-backs.

• READ MORE: Middlesbrough stance on Hayden Hackney summer transfer revealed as Crystal Palace and Fulham ‘doing their work’

Middlesbrough could sign free agent to fix centre-back crisis

This crisis meant midfielder Jonny Howson and left-back Neto Borges started the aforementioned victory over QPR as Carrick’s two central defenders.

Academy sensation George McCormick was named on the bench, but given how tight the battle for the play-offs is right now, the Middlesbrough manager clearly wanted to go with more experienced options, even if they were playing out of position.

While Boro secured a victory in midweek, it’s clear they can’t continue without having a single senior, fit centre-back.

As a result, it would make sense for the North East outfit to look to the free-agent market to solve this problem.

This is something Middlesbrough are already exploring, having taken former West Bromwich Albion man Erik Pieters on trial last week.

But Carrick confirmed ahead of QPR, as per Teesside Live, that he was not training with the team on Monday.

He said: “Erik did train with us some days last week. It was something we looked. We explored it, we were looking at different things. He wasn’t in with the group today.”

While Pieters seemingly wasn’t the right fit for Middlebrough, one man who has already proven he is and has experience winning promotion from the Championship is Daniel Ayala.

The Spaniard was part of Aitor Karanka’s side in 2015/16 when they finished second in the Championship with one of the best defensive records in the competiton’s history – 31 conceded in 46.

Crucially, Ayala is currently without a club, and Boro should consider bringing him back to the Riverside to aid their centre-back woes.

What happened to Daniel Ayala after Middlesbrough exit

Now 34, Ayala is unlikely to be the player he once was during his first spell on Teesside, but given the limited options available to Boro right now, he could prove a useful option for a few games.

The defender left Middlesbrough in September 2020, joining Blackburn Rovers on a free transfer.

He spent three years at Ewood Park before linking up with Rotherham United in October 2023. The stopper was then released in March 2024.

Most recently, Ayala had a brief spell with Potters Bar Town before leaving the non-league outfit in November 2024.