PATRICK ROBERTS is hoping to make an instant impression against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday after completing a season-long loan move to Middlesbrough.

Roberts has joined Boro for the rest of the season after his permanent employers, Manchester City, cut short his previous loan spell at Norwich.

The 22-year-old is set to take part in his first training session with the rest of Jonathan Woodgate’s squad in the morning, and is available to make his Boro debut in Sunday’s glamour FA Cup third-round tie with Spurs.

“I’m very excited,” said Roberts, who joined Manchester City in a £12m move from Fulham in 2015. “I’ve had a tough couple of months previously so I’m glad to be here and start with my first game on Sunday, it’ll be good.

“Premier League opposition is always nice. You maybe want an easy first game or something, but I’ll take everything as it comes. I’ll thoroughly enjoy it, and am just happy being back on the pitch playing football again, like I’ve enjoyed doing the whole of my life.”

Roberts had hoped to make an impact at Norwich, but he did not start a single league game for the Canaries in the first half of the season.

Having impressed in previous loan spells at Celtic and Girona, he is determined to get his career back on track on Teesside.

“Obviously a lack of game time leads you to options,” said Roberts, in an interview with Middlesbrough’s official website. “I was still at Man City, so I had the option to be recalled and go somewhere else to benefit myself. After a meeting with the manager (Woodgate), it was clear I wanted to come.

“I’ve struggled the last couple of months, so to get some minutes in and some games, I’m more than delighted to be here and get going.”

While Roberts is still in his early 20s, he boasts plenty of experience, having won three SPL titles during his time with Celtic.

“I know I’m only young, but I’ve played in some big games and at some tough places so I think I can bring that,” he said. “I’m also still young, still hungry, and still want to give all I can to be the best player I can. I’m sure the manager here, the staff and the players will help me to do that, and hopefully I can help them win games. I’m really looking forward to it.

“They’ve (Boro) been on the back of a few good wins right now, so they’ve got good momentum. I think it fits me, and I want to be winning games and playing football. With the players around me, I’m sure we can do that.”