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Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick has said his best team will change throughout the season as he prepares for Saturday's match at Sunderland.

Boro have started their Championship campaign promisingly, losing only one of their opening five matches, but the former Manchester United and England midfielder is still evaluating his squad on a game-by-game basis.

"I don't know if there almost needs to be, really," Carrick told ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio Tees when pushed on the idea of his strongest team.

"I think it's not necessarily your best 11 and that's it. Over the course of the season there's time to use anybody, you know, and it'll be an appearance when somebody is in good form and you roll with it".

Carrick, 43, has used 24 different players in Boro's opening five league matches as he continues to evaluate his squad.

"I think that's the focus on the squad that we've put together really and we feel like we've got the flexibility to see out the whole season.

"That best team will change for sure as the season changes as well," he added.

Carrick remained cautious about the availability of forward Marcus Forss after the Finland international, who scored home and away for Boro against Sunderland last season, returned to light training following a hamstring injury suffered back in March.

"We've got to be careful, he's been out for a long time," he added. "Marcus is training, it's great to have him back.

"He's looked good in training, it's very early days, you know. In terms of being ready for selection, I think it's very different in terms of being 100%, in terms of being injury free, but I'm sure soon enough he'll be back in and around it".