Is this the time for De Pena’s bow?

THE drama of deadline day turned in to a bit of a soap opera for Boro. The efforts made to get Nacional’s Uruguayan boy wonder, Carlos De Pena to sign on the dotted line for the Teessiders was nothing short of sensational. Fortunately thanks to lady luck, and a little help from a familiar little fella called Juninho, the club and fans alike were delighted to welcome the 23-year-old to their ranks.

But as of yet the wait goes on for fans to see De Pena grace the hallowed turf and don the Boro red, having been a unused substitute in their last two fixtures. Consequently whispers have circulated among the Riverside faithful, asking if tonight's Capital One Cup tie with Wolverhampton Wanderers, is the night of the grand unveiling?

Karanka when asked about De Pena’s involvement this evening in his pre-match conference remained tight lipped, praising the way the player trained, but issuing caution claiming he is “waiting for the right moment” to introduce the Uruguayan.

If De Pena does play, or even starts for Boro tonight, it will be certainly because Karanka believes he is a player that is needed to tame Wolves. The head coach has made it clear he has no intentions of fielding a weakened team tonight, as the Reds look to gather momentum in both the league and cup this season.

So what can we expect from De Pena? As other than Youtube highlight reels, he is somewhat of an unknown quantity to the people of Teesside. A playmaker it seems, as Adam Clayton, who likened De Pena’s compatriot Cristhian Stuani to Thomas Muller last week, was quick to praise the player’s quick feet, and ability to make something happen.

The Northern Echo:

Middlesbrough's Cristhian Stuani celebrates his goal in the first round at Oldham Athletic

So you’d think he could slot anywhere in between that front three playing the striker in Karanka’s favoured 4-2-3-1 line-up. Among the likes of Fabrini and Downing and Forshaw, De Pena certainly seems to be another technical master, employed to pick the locks of Championship defences, firmly moving their bus out of park.

In my opinion there is no better start for De Pena. You have a Wolves side lacking in confidence having enjoyed a less successful start to the campaign, winning only two of their opening seven fixtures, and a player in opposition who is eager to show what he can do. It could just be the ticket to ensure Boro’s safe passage to the fourth round of the Capital One Cup.

Is cup football a welcome or unwanted distraction?

The Teessiders are set for cup action after highlighting their promotion credentials domestically in recent weeks. They currently sit second in the Championship table after victory over Nottingham Forest at the weekend, boasting the best goal difference in the league with the foot firmly on the gas.

Momentum is key, and winning is vital therefore you’d say it’s important that nothing but a Boro win tonight will do. As the fans who roared the club to Wembley in 1998 will tell you, a good cup run definitely doesn’t mean it could hamper Boro’s promotion chances, and the strength in depth the squad now possess certainly shows fatigue won’t prove an issue.

Can Boro go all the way? Who knows, but it’s for certain a victory tonight will put Boro in good stead ahead of crunch match with Leeds United on Sunday.