Neil Warnock explains Sam Morsy substitution against Nottingham Forest and provides Dael Fry update ahead of Blackburn trip

Boro moved up to fifth in the Championship after the 1-0 win at the Riverside, courtesy of an 81st-minute goal from substitute Marvin Johnson.

Morsy received a yellow card in the 17th minute for waving an arm at Forest midfielder Ryan Yates, prompting Warnock to replace the midfielder with Djed Spence in the first half.

“I thought he was a bit stiff as well,” said Warnock when asked about Morsy. “I thought (Jack) Colback was winding him up from the start. The ref said one more and he’s off so it wasn’t worth it.”

Warnock made three changes to his side following Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Coventry, with Dael Fry dropping out of the squad due to a stomach bug.

The 23-year-old is feeling better, though, and could be available for Tuesday’s trip to Blackburn.

“Dael was a lot better this morning, but still not quite right so it wasn’t worth risking him,” added Warnock.

“I’ve told him to try to get ready for Tuesday. You know what it’s like with sickness and diarrhoea it just weakens you.

“He’s had it for four days. He had cramp the other night and played with it, but he’s just had diarrhoea since. He was a lot better after the doc went to see him today.”

Fry’s absence meant teenage centre-back Nathan Wood made his first league start for the Teessiders, impressing in Boro’s backline.

“We gave him a round of applause in the dressing room afterwards,” added Warnock when asked about Wood.

"It was his first full game, and he deserved it. He did really well. He made one great block when it looked as though the lad was going to pull the trigger. He slid in well, and I thought his all-round performance was great.”

After a goalless first half, Warnock once again encouraged his team to be patient before they were rewarded after the break.

“I said at half-time it was a similar thing to Coventry. It took us 80 minutes to score then and I said it might take us 90 today, but there is a goal there if we keep playing like we are.”

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