OPTIONS, options, finally a Middlesbrough manager has options.

Not since the days of playing in the Premier League can Boro claim to have had the players to freshen things up with a degree of regularity without fearing it might disrupt the side.

That, though, is exactly what Aitor Karanka has after his successful summer of squad realignment – and the last week has proven that.

After the long midweek trip to Cardiff City ended in victory 11 days ago, the Spanish head coach made six changes to his starting line-up to face Brentford on the Saturday. Yet Middlesbrough still ended up winning 4-0.

Then, three days later, Karanka made a further six changes for the trip to Anfield. And yet, somehow, his side still conjured up a performance to come within a whisker of knocking Premier League runners-up Liverpool out of the Capital One Cup on Tuesday night.

This has not happened at Middlesbrough for years. While it is not time for Middlesbrough fans to get carried away, there has clearly been sufficient progress made in the last few months to suggest Karanka’s squad can become a real Championship force.

It is hard to remember a Middlesbrough manager, Karanka included until now, being able to mix and match his forward line with such high confidence, knowing whoever starts can still pose enough of a threat to any defence.

Anfield highlighted that. After withdrawing Kike, a £2.7m buy from Real Murcia, and the lively Lee Tomlin, Middlesbrough could turn to Patrick Bamford, who grabbed the late penalty which forced the tie to a shoot-out, and Belgium international Jelle Vossen.

Bamford and Vossen could quite easily be given starting spots at Charlton on Saturday because of the greater length of time both Kike and Tomlin spent on the pitch against Liverpool.

The luxury of being confident enough to turn in different directions is rare at Championship level, but that is what Karanka can now do throughout his squad.

He has left Jamal Blackman on the bench to favour Dimi Konstantopoulos in goal and preferred defender Ben Gibson to Jonathan Woodgate at the heart of the back four. He has also named winger Emilio Nsue to give the lively Adam Reach a rest too.

Such depth is what Karanka can now argue he has in every department of his squad, highlighted by the way Middlesbrough have dealt quickly with the long term injury suffered by right-back Damia Abella by throwing in Tottenham loan man Ryan Fredericks.

Having options does not guarantee promotion to the Premier League, but having good options certainly helps.

A trip to London to face Charlton on Saturday will be a real test after the midweek marathon at Anfield, but this seems to be a different Middlesbrough – and optimistic fans have every right to be more confident.