JACOB BUTTERFIELD’S attacking mindset was one of the key reasons why Tony Mowbray was so keen to add the former Norwich midfielder to Middlesbrough’s midfield mix.

Butterfield moved to the Riverside Stadium on transfer deadline day, and produced his best display in a Boro shirt as he claimed his first goal for the club during last weekend’s much-needed 4-1 win over Yeovil.

Mowbray first tried to sign the 23-year-old when he was playing for Barnsley, but Butterfield opted to move to Carrow Road instead.

However, with Grant Leadbitter, Dean Whitehead and Jozsef Varga forming a combative midfield triumvirate, the Boro boss was quick to renew his interest in order to increase his creative options when Butterfield became available again in August.

“Jacob plays forward, which is a fantastic attribute for a footballer,” said Mowbray. “He has wonderful feet, he takes corners from the one side with his right and from the other side with his left.

“He’s a very talented and confident boy. We’re trying to get his work ethic up to the required standard and he’s working very hard at that.

“We’ve known about him for a very long time and did try to sign him from Barnsley, when he was coming back from a bad injury, but he went to the Premier League with Norwich. Thankfully for us, we've eventually secured him and we're delighted he's here.”

Boro youngster Lewis Sirrell has joined Skrill Premier side Gateshead on a month-long loan. The 20-year-old full-back will cover for first-choice Carl Magnay, who was injured in the midweek win over Hyde.

“Lewis is a tall and strong player with a good left foot," said Gateshead boss Gary Mills. “He likes to get forward and is a player with a lot of qualities."

* Middlesbrough’s away game at Millwall on Saturday, December 21 will now kick off at the later time of 5.30pm and be screened live on Sky Sports.