Middlesbrough FC boss Michael Carrick on Luke Ayling and prospect of ex-Leeds United favourite returning to starting line-up at Elland Road

Dijksteel was impressive in last Friday's game at Burnley and found the net for the first time in a Boro jersey in the 1-1 draw.

The conundrum is that Ayling has proved a very consistent figure during his time on Teesside, just as he did during his long association with Leeds where he soon became a crowd favourite.

Dijksteel started in Boro's 3-0 EFL Cup triumph in Leeds at the start of the season, but Ayling came off the bench early in the second half due to an injury to another ex-Leeds favourite in Jonny Howson, who had switched to centre-back.

On who to play at right-back, with Dijksteel having started the last two games, Carrick said: "It’s difficult in many ways, but the other side of it is that they are both playing very well and great options.

"The tougher call is when you’re limited with your options and you’ve got two bad options, that’s a tougher place to be in.

"I think we’ve got two good options. Who knows, they’ll both play some part possibly during the game anyway, so it’s one we’ve got to make, but they are both doing really well so it’s a really positive situation to be in.

"We’re really pleased with Anf. He’s playing well for us for some time now.

"He’s played some and obviously Luke has played some as well.

"It’s good to have the options and have the decision to have to make for good reasons, which is that the boys are playing well. There are a lot of games, so the boys know to stay ready for it."