Michael Carrick has conceded Ben Doak may not return for Middlesbrough this season.
The Scotland internationalist, 19, has been sidelined since January after a thigh injury required surgery.
Doak was not involved in the recent Scotland camp with the winger having not yet returned to training after the injury issue with surgery only carried out in March.
The winger, who joined Liverpool from Celtic, has missed the last 13 matches for Championship side Middlesbrough, where he has been on loan for the season.
Doak has not returned to Liverpool and ended his loan with Carrick keen to keep the winger in the hope of a return to playing before the summer, even if that appears increasingly unlikely.
Asked if it is approaching a stage where the season has to be written off for Doak, Carrick told The Northern Echo: "It will get to that stage but we're not writing anything off yet as you probably understand.
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"But at this stage of the season it's pretty late, so it's obviously not looking likely anytime soon."
While Doak is still technically on loan at Middlesbrough, he is receiving treatment at his parent club, Liverpool.
Doak was wanted by a host of clubs in the January transfer window with Ipswich and Crystal Palace credited with interest in the teenager.
Transfer bids for the winger were rejected with Doak remaining on loan at Middlesbrough.
