ADAM REACH has signed a new four-and-a-half year deal with Middlesbrough after a stunning start to the season.

The 21-year-old has been a key performer for Boro in the Championship and has figured in 18 of the team's games already this season despite manager Aitor Karanka's tinkering.

Karanka has moved quickly to tie the youngster down to a long term deal and he is contracted to the Riverside Stadium club until the summer of 2019 and is set to keep his place in Tuesday night's game with Norwich City.

Karanka said: "It’s very good for Adam and it’s very good for the team. Adam is a very good lad and it’s important for him to a have a contract he deserves.

“He has done well this season. He’s improves every week. He’s good with the ball, he’s powerful, and he’s very good tactically.”

He added: “He’s a very good example for the Academy here. It’s the same as Ben Gibson, who has been out on loan and is now having success and playing in the first team.

“Reachy has been fighting for his spot, he’s been out on loan, and now he’s in the first team, and he deserves it. This contract is good for him and for the team. He’s a good player and a very good lad. He is a great example for everyone.”

Albert Adomah is available to make a quick return to action against Norwich but Karanka may decide to make the African winger wait.

Adomah was a late withdrawal from the squad which travelled to Rotherham on Saturday after being struck down with illness in the build up.

His absence meant a call-up for Yanic Wildschut and his first start in a Boro short could not have gone any better.

The Dutchman turned in a man of the match display on the right and scored the team’s stunning second goal at the New York Stadium where Middlesbrough went on to record a 3-0 win.

Now Karanka must decide whether to keep the £600,000 buy from Heerenveen in the side which faces promotion rivals Norwich City at the Riverside Stadium on Tuesday – or recall Adomah.

“Albert didn't sleep, he had stomach problems and he was sick and weak, but he is fine now,” said Karanka. “It is a difficult decision after Yanic’s performance but that is a good thing for me.

“Before the game, if Albert had been fit, Albert would have played. But when I knew that Albert couldn't play, I had other alternatives. I was thinking about putting Lee Tomlin in the team with a different shape.

“I had three or four different alternatives but I thought the best one was to put Yanic in the team because he was training very well, it was his position and he was brilliant.”

Karanka has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the visit of the Canaries. Middlesbrough could climb to the top of the Championship if they can follow up victories over Fulham and Cardiff City with a third against the relegated Premier League clubs, Norwich.

Middlesbrough are still without Rhys Williams, Damia Abella, Jonathan Woodgate and Mustapha Carayol, who are all sidelined with long term problems.