Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick has explained the decision to sell Morgan Rogers to Aston Villa.

Rogers signed for Villa on deadline day after Boro had previously rejected multiple offers.

Carrick said: "You have to be realistic. Morgan is a Birmingham lad, they're going well in the Premier League. It's a massive opportunity for him and we understand that. I'm not saying that will happen for everyone, it's not a policy of the club by any stretch but you have to take everything on an individual basis.

"That was right for everyone, even though we would love to have kept him and worked him and seen how good he could become, but that's football. We'll move on as Morgan will but we wish him the very best and hope he fulfils all his potential. Finn [Azaz] was brought in so that made us stronger going into that. That was in many ways a like-for-like with Morgan.

"Morgan, you have to take it as a one-off situation because every transfer is different. It was one of those that fit for everyone in the end. It is what it is, mixed feelings. We looked forward to developing Morgan and help him reach his potential but at the same time, we're realistic and understood the situation. In terms of the squad, we're strong, we have good options, we have boys coming back fit and are looking forward to the games coming up."