MICHAEL CARRICK is happy with the way in which Matthew Hoppe is developing within Middlesbrough’s first-team squad, but concedes there is a chance the forward could leave on loan before the end of the month.

Hoppe, a 21-year-old United States international, joined Boro from Spanish side Real Mallorca in the summer, signing a four-year deal as he completed his move to the North-East.

He is yet to make his first start in a Boro shirt, but his substitute outing in the Boxing Day win over Wigan Athletic was his sixth appearance from the bench and Carrick appears to value him much more highly than was the case under his predecessor, Chris Wilder, who dismissively branded him a ‘development signing’ when he arrived in the close season.

“He’s (Hoppe) done well since I’ve been here,” said Carrick, whose side return to action when they host Championship promotion rivals Millwall at the weekend. “We’re obviously fortunate to have good options at the top end of the pitch.

“You would like to give everyone more opportunities and more minutes really, but it’s not always possible. But he’s trained really well and he’s a really good lad. He’s been terrific in training, so he’s just got to be patient and like the rest of them, be ready for when you get that chance. Everybody so far has.”

Boro’s attacking line-up is currently in a state of flux, with Cameron Archer having completed a loan move from Aston Villa at the end of last week.

Archer, who made his first Boro appearance in Saturday’s FA Cup third-round defeat to Brighton, joins an attacking contingent that also features Chuba Akpom and Matt Crooks as well as Hoppe and Rodrigo Muniz.

Muniz’s future is up in the air, with Boro officials understood to be discussing the possibility of curtailing the Brazilian’s loan deal in order to allow him to return to Fulham. However, with Fulham boss Marco Silva having written Muniz out of his plans this season, the Cottagers are currently only willing to cut short the striker’s spell on Teesside if an alternative loan destination can be agreed for the second half of the campaign.

Hoppe could also leave on loan in order to increase his chances of securing regular action in the second half of the season, with Carrick currently assessing his options.

“It’s ifs, buts and maybes, really,” said the Boro boss. “That’s not about any individuals in particular, but as ever in a transfer window, some might come in and some might end up going out, either permanently or on loan. We’ll just have to wait and see how that goes.”