Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick has called on his team to 'limit those days where it doesn't go for you' after suffering defeat to West Brom.

Daryl Dike's early brace secured the Baggies a crucial win over in-form Boro, ending their five-match winning run.

Manchester United legend Carrick has taken the Teesiders from the bottom three to the top three after taking over from Chris Wilder.

Seven points behind Sheffield United in the race for automatic promotion, they need to bounce back quickly against Reading on Saturday.

Speaking after defeat at the Hawthorns, the former England midfielder said: "The previous work is by no means undone. It’s why I’ve said all along when people get carried away about the run, we’ve got to be realistic. There were always going to be results and things along the way that went against us, and it’s just something we’ve got to learn from.

"We won't be brushing a defeat under the carpet because it's not what we came here for. But this is the manner of the league we’re in and you’ll always win some and lose some. That’s football. I’ve been around long enough to know you will have good days and bad days - the key is limiting those days where it doesn’t go for you, like this one. It’s disappointing but that’s the way the game is."

Reading Chronicle:

Tyrese Fornah's long-range strike was enough for the Royals to beat Middlesbrough 1-0 back in September.

The win put Paul Ince's men third, while Boro dropped to 23rd.