Caretaker Leo Percovich says Middlesbrough's new manager will inherit a "very positive" dressing room with Michael Carrick the strong bookmakers favourite but others still heavily tipped.

By Sunday morning Carrick was 4/7 to start his managerial career on Teesside, although former Huddersfield Town coach Carlos Corberan and ex-Barnsley defender Rob Edwards are also seen as contenders.

Percovich, who has overseen a 1-0 win over Birmingham City and Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Millwall where Zian Fleming scored twice, says morale is good and the season recoverable.

“The dressing room is very positive,” he insisted. “This could be a very good season for us. We’ve started badly, but it doesn’t mean the season is gone."

POSITIVE: Middlesbrough interim manager Leo Percovich

Former player and coach Carrick had a three-game caretaker stint at Manchester United which saw him win two and draw one.

He is expected to bring in Rene Meulensteen and Mike Phelan to support him if appointed.

Michael Carrick tipped to take over 'very positive' Middlesbrough dressing room, insists caretaker Leo Percovich