YOUNG striker Curtis Main has signed a contract extension that will keep him at Middlesbrough until 2015.

Main, who's new contract includes the option for a further year, has been rewarded for an exciting first year at the club that saw him break into Tony Mowbray's first team, making 12 appearances and scoring twice.

The striker is currently recovering from reconstruction of lateral knee ligaments following a training ground injury at the start of the season, and having signed his new contract, the 20-year-old is anxious to build on his progress by forcing his way back into the side after Christmas.

"Obviously being injured, being stuck in the gym frustrated wanting to be involved in what's going on on the pitch hasn't been great, but signing this new contract and coming back to fitness pretty soon, hopefully things are going upwards now.

"It shows the coaching staff and the manager are hoping I can kick on and progress from what I achieved last year.

"At the end of the day being a centre forward is all about goals and if I can stay fit and get in the team then goals will flow hopefully.

"It's not going to be easy when everyone is fit but all you can do is graft and see what happens at the weekend."

Mowbray described Main as "one for the future" when he offered the former Darlington player a one-year contract, with an option for a second year, following a successful trial last summer.

Following an impressive scoring spell with the reserves, he was handed his debut from the bench in a goalless draw with Crystal Palace at the Riverside on February 4. He then made his first start four days later in the home FA Cup third round replay defeat to Sunderland.