Dean Smith had his say on some of the key issues ahead of Norwich City's Championship game against Middlesbrough at Carrow Road.

The Canaries' boss held his pre-match press call at Colney on Friday morning.

This is what Smith had to say on the following.

Josh Sargent's World Cup call up for the US

We're really pleased for him and he's worked extremely hard this season to earn that slot. He's is becoming a much better, rounded player for me. His quality and his attitude have never been in question but he has started to create and score goals now at this level and I believe he will keep growing and get better.  

Goals breed confidence but also it's a step down a little bit in standard. I have no doubts should we get back to the Premier League he will score goals in the Premier League as well. I think his development is there for all to see and I think it will get better.

We've got to remember he's still only a young man so it's a great achievement for him to get called up to the US squad and travel to the World Cup. We'll be watching him. I’m not sure we'll be cheering when England played them, or Wales for that matter.  

City's warm weather plans (training camp in Tampa)

First and foremost, I want them to have a break, so everybody's having that first week off after the Middlesbrough game then we all travel out there together. The players can take their families with them as well. I want there to be a good atmosphere around the place, I want them to feel like the families are wanted. We have to build a togetherness within a group as well. But we'll be training flat out for four days where we can get some really good work into them.  

I will spend some time with my wife and our dog next week and then we plan to fly over the New York for a couple of nights and travel down to Tampa to meet the group. 

We've got the one game arranged in terms of a friendly back in the UK. That will be behind closed doors on a Saturday against Premier League opposition. We'll come back from the US, train on the Thursday and Friday, play on the Saturday (December 3) and then have a full week’s run in to Swansea. 

Michael Carrick's impact at Middlesbrough

It'll be a really tough game. I think they're a good team. I don't think they deserve to be where they are in the league. They've had a good couple of wins under Michael already. Looking at their stats over the season they don't give too many big chances away. But they haven't taken enough of their big chances. So that's probably part of the reason why they are where they are in the table.

Obviously the shape is different. Chris (Wilder) was known for playing three at the back and since Michael went in that has been a back four. But it is still the same players. They've certainly had a bounce since he's gone in.

I wish Michael well after this weekend. He had few games at Manchester United and now he has this opportunity and I am sure he will be relishing it.  

I did a talk when he was on a pro licence course, because I remember speaking to him at Manchester United last year, and he was telling me how he enjoyed the talk. 

City squad news

Marcelino Nunez has trained with us so he is available for selection. (Sam) Byram is not. He’s got a tendon injury. I said after Rotherham I expected him to miss this game as well so we will see him after the World Cup.

It is a tendon around the hamstring area, so we have to be super careful with his past history there. Everybody who was involved at Rotherham has trained this week. So no concerns.

(Update on Andrew Omobamidele, Adam Idah and Jacob Sorensen) All three are on track to be training with us during our warm weather break so they are in the latter stages of their rehab. Which is good.