NEIL Warnock admits he couldn't get the best out of Chuba Akpom at Middlesbrough and has hailed Michael Carrick for turning the forward into the Championship's most feared striker.

He was the manager who brought Akpom to Boro, but Warnock has admitted he's been surprised by the striker's remarkable goalscoring exploits this season.

And ahead of Boro's trip to Huddersfield Town this weekend, Warnock says he has no idea how he's going to try and stop the league's top scorer!

Warnock was Boro's boss when Akpom joined the club in 2020 but the former Arsenal striker scored just five times in his first season on Teesside before the veteran manager allowed him to go to Greek club PAOK on loan.

Warnock admits he "didn't succeed" in getting the best out of Akpom at the Riverside and says Carrick deserves immense credit for shifting the striker into the No.10 role - a move that has had remarkable results.

Boro head for the John Smith's Stadium on Saturday with Akpom leading the Championship charts with 24 goals.

"I think you have to give Michael credit," said Warnock, speaking exclusively to the Northern Echo's You Are My Boro podcast.

"I am surprised, yeah. Chuba up-front didnt work hard enough and didn't do the right things for the team for me.

"But where Michael is playing him now is fantastic. Some of his finishing has been as good as any in the world, one or two of the goals.

"He's a nice lad. He was alright for me. I was disappointed in his performances but Michael has found that area for him and you wouldn't swap him for the world now.

"Steve Bruce told me the same when I asked Steve about him (before he signed for Boro). He said he'll frustrate you at times Neil, and that's how he was with me. Now it looks like he's found where he wants to play, he's found himself in a really good team that give him the ball in the right areas. You couldn't buy anyone like that now for the Championship."

"I don't think anybody has scored 20 at Boro for many years and Chuba looks like he'll get 30-odd."

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Although Warnock didn't see the best of Akpom when he was in charge at Boro, he's pleased to see the striker showing what he's capable of now

With his Huddersfield team in a desperate scrap for survival at the bottom of the table, Warnock is now trying to figure out how to shackle Akpom on Saturday - though admits that's easier than done.

"It's fabulous (to see Akpom doing well)," said Warnock.

"I tried and I didn't succeed with him. But Michael has found that touch and where to play him. Some managers come in and just find it. I don't think the manager before me (Chris Wilder) found anywhere for him either.

"You have to put that down to Michael and say well done. It doesn't look like he'll stop scoring. How we're going to stop him I don't have a clue."