TONY PULIS is delighted that George Friend appears to be recapturing the sort of form that once persuaded him to make a move for the Middlesbrough full-back.

Pulis has been interested in signing the former Wolves and Doncaster defender for a number of years, and watched him a couple of times before the end of last season when he was West Brom boss.

The Baggies were keen on signing him following Middlesbrough’s relegation from the Premier League, having previously also made advances when he first took over at The Hawthorns in January 2015.

On both occasions Boro rebuffed their advances, just as they did when Crystal Palace and Watford made sizeable offers.

Friend was a key player during the previous promotion winning campaign and was an important member of the team regularly sent out by Aitor Karanka.

But, like so many of the squad, he found it hard when the team’s results started to suffer in the top-flight and then Garry Monk didn’t play him as regularly as many had expected this season either.

But Pulis has been quick to put the 30-year-old back into the starting line-up since taking over on Boxing Day and he was rewarded with his best display of the season at Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

Not only did Friend score a screamer, he also performed solidly defensively.

“I think that’s his first goal for 60 games,” said Pulis, after hearing the defender had not scored since January 2, 2016 against Derby. “He was a bit shaky when I first came in, but he has started to play with composure and quality.

“We have liked George for a long time, he looked comfortable when I first came in maybe lacked confidence but that has improved with every game so far.”

Friend is not the only one to have seen his confidence improve following Pulis’ arrival.

Boro looked as hungry as they have this season to deliver three points at Loftus Road, having suffered defeat to Fulham at the Riverside a week earlier when Oliver Norwood scored a late penalty.

Pulis said: “We got a real kick in the teeth against Fulham, we should have won the game and lost in the 95th minute, so for the players to show that sort of character at Queens Park Rangers I am really pleased. But we have 17 games to go, every game we play we have to turn up.”

After that defeat to Fulham, Pulis made his players do double sessions on both the Monday and Tuesday in a bid to rectify any problems and get them more in tune with what he wants.

But he will not be getting carried away after one 3-0 victory in West London.

He will repeat the message this week on the training ground and is still looking to change aspects of the squad he inherited.

He has already moved on Adam Forshaw to Leeds United and the Whites have now been credited with interest in another available player, Ashley Fletcher.

The £6m summer signings has struggled to make an impression on Teesside and has Sunderland and Norwich City, who are said to be favourites for his signature, keen, as well as his former club Barnsley.

Pulis admitted: “We will try to slim it. I am not going to spend any money. If I bring anyone in it will be loans. If there is an opportunity for one or two to leave then I will do that as well.”

Boro are on FA Cup duty this week against Brighton on Saturday before facing Sheffield Wednesday in Championship action on Tuesday. Victories in both could see them into the last 16 and in a play-off place ahead of a trip to Norwich.

He has been linked with a move for Blackburn midfielder Bradley Dack, although given he is rated in the £4m bracket it is unlikely anything will happen this month.

Dack was only signed by the League One promotion contenders for £750,000 last summer from Gillingham and he has shone under former Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray.

There is also strong interest in him from Leeds and Aston Villa.