Neil Warnock makes Patrick Roberts admission after Blackburn draw as Middlesbrough boss provides Sam Morsy update

Boro created the better chances at Ewood Park but were held to a goalless draw by Tony Mowbray’s side in Lancashire.

Roberts was left on the bench for the second consecutive match, while Warnock has previously said Boro have to be careful with the winger who has suffered with hamstring injuries in the past.

"I'm disappointed in myself," Warnock told BBC Tees on Friday morning.

"I thought I should have put Roberts on at the end of that game. It's alright looking back in hindsight, I didn't think about it until after."

When asked by the Mail if the decision not to start Roberts at Blackburn was tactical or because of fitness, Warnock added: "A bit of both really, playing against a strong midfield it's difficult to give him a free role. You don't want to get overpowered.

"The type of full-backs we're playing against, it's not Paddy's strength to defend in our half.

"But when I look back on the other night, it was probably made to measure for him."

Warnock is unsure if Sam Morsy will be available for this weekend’s trip to Brentford after the midfielder missed the game against Blackburn with a hamstring issue.

"I don’t know yet,” said Warnock when asked if Morsy will be available this weekend.

"When we train this afternoon we will have a look at him, you know what he’s like he told me he was alright yesterday.

"He never told me when he did it, I had to look at him holding his hamstring before I realised what he’d done.

"He’s one of them lads I will just have to be careful with, we want to make sure he’s fit after that international break.”

Warnock also provided an injury update on defender Grant Hall who has been sidelined since September with a calf issue.

"Grant won’t be involved but is fit now,” said the Boro boss. "He is going to have two weeks starting today like a pre-season.”

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