THE resurrection of Chuba Akpom from Under-21 outcast to goalscoring hero has been a story that no one was expecting this season. But the Middlesbrough frontman has come back from the cold to prove doubters wrong and his manager now wants to keep him for next season.

Following the end of last season, manager Chris Wilder was carrying out an early but sweeping overhaul of the club. The acquisition of a flurry of forwards was at the forefront of his thinking following the departures of Andraz Sporar, Folarin Balogun and Aaron Connolly.

For Akpom, the striker wanted to keep himself in peak condition once his loan spell last season had finished but before pre-season even got started, Wilder was already looking elsewhere in the transfer market for new strikers. There was little hope of the 26-year-old's future being on Teesside as he was cast to one side.

“There wasn’t any conversations initially (with Wilder or Boro)" he said. "I just finished my spell at PAOK and then tried to keep as fit as possible during the off season to come back as fit as possible to then see how things were.

"There wasn’t much conversation until I returned. When I did come back I was training with U21s which was obviously tough, but the main thing for me was keeping fit. I came in every day and did my work as best I could because I wanted to be fit and I wanted to be match ready.

"Now I’m glad to be back with the first team and it feels like I’m playing my part, so I’m happy with that and I hope the gaffer is happy with me. Now it’s just time for us to get some wins."

To cast the story a few weeks back, Boro were struggling to recruit forwards to the club and out of nowhere, Akpom was brought back into first-team training from the Under-21's to plug a gap in the squad. He then featured in Boro's final pre-season friendly of the summer as a second half substitute to the surprise of many. At the time, it was an indication of Boro's lack of activity in the transfer window but for Akpom, opportunity struck.

Akpom continued: “We had a little sit down and I knew the gaffer had plans for his team and things. But obviously sometimes things change and as players we just have to be professional and adapt. That’s what football is about.

"We had that conversation the day before the Marseille game and he told me what the situation was and we just went forward from there."

Akpom has been back in the team at the beginning of this and was back amongst the goals at the weekend scoring twice to help Boro come from behind twice and claim a point against the Blades.

Following the draw at the Riverside Stadium, Wilder revealed that Akpom has 'won him round' and he will be staying at the club for this season.

The joy in Akpom's game has been clear for all to see from a Boro persuasion and it comes as no surprise to hear the player provide a similar reference. After Wilder reintroduced him back into the group, the 26-year-old gave a glowing review of what it's like to play under him.

“I am really enjoying it" Akpom continued. "You know what, when I came back for pre-season all the lads were saying to me ‘you will love playing for this gaffer’.

"They said he has the right mentality and the structure and the way the team plays would really suit me a lot. That’s what the boys were saying to me.

"Now that I’m in the group and I can really see that for myself. I’m in and I’m really enjoying it. I train with a smile on my face, play with a smile on my face and I’m just trying to get as fit as possible. So yeah, it’s nothing but happiness on my side."