Middlesbrough's Josh Coburn plan revealed with Michael Carrick hope after Millwall injury

Michael Carrick reacts after Josh Coburn injury blow
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Josh Coburn will be staying at Millwall for his injury recovery, with Michael Carrick hoping he will be back on the pitch as soon as possible.

The striker made a quick impression at the Den, netting on his debut in what proved to be Millwall's first win over the season just before the international break. However, he lasted just 32 minutes of last weekend's defeat to Luton Town before limping off, with manager Neil Harris confirming that the Teesside striker faces six to eight weeks out.

It's a blow for Coburn, whose campaign last term was heavily impacted by a pelvic issue that meant he didn't play after January. With Tommy Conway signed from Bristol City this summer, Boro chiefs made the decision to send the 21-year-old out on loan in order to get game-time, for his body to develop the robustness to handle playing regular senior football.

READ MORE: Millwall injury blow as length of Middlesbrough loanee Josh Coburn's absence is revealed

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Revealing Boro's plan for Coburn after the injury setback, Carrick said: “He’s staying down there. We hope it will benefit him to stay in that environment. We are certainly here to support him from our side of things but I think that it is good for him to be there and immerse himself in it and hopefully he will be back pretty quick.

"He had a terrific start and hopefully he will get back on the pitch as quick as he can. Certainly for him, and for us, it’s a bit of blow but the game throws up these type of things, ups and downs and little setbacks, but he’ll be alright and will deal with it. He’s got a good head on his shoulders and we’ll get him back on the pitch as quick as we can."

Head of football Kieran Scott also discussed the striker's loan and injury during an appearance on BBC Tees Sport earlier in the week. Scott said: "Josh needed to go and play football and get robust for the level. We all know he's good enough for the level, but it's getting his body used to the 38-46 games a season. He wasn't going to get that here with Tommy coming in. It's all good and well saying, 'we'll just keep Josh here for our benefit', but he wouldn't benefit from that at all.

"We all think the world of Josh and we wanted to get him out playing football. This was a great opportunity at Millwall. He's got his calf injury at the moment but they love him there so we expect he'll play there when he is fit. I'm disappointed for him, but injuries are part of the game.

"That's really why we've sent him there, to hopefully make him ready one day to lead the line for Middlesbrough one day. He needs to play the games. I hope he does well there, and then he comes to us with more games, more power, more strength and you ask the question then, is he ready?"