MORGAN ROGERS admits he is “learning on the job” as he leads the line for Middlesbrough.

Rogers played the full 90 minutes as a central striker as Boro suffered a 1-0 friendly defeat to Spanish side Real Betis at Chesterfield’s SMH Group Stadium this afternoon.

The 20-year-old joined Boro on a permanent basis from Manchester City earlier this month, having spent the second half of last season on loan in the Championship with Blackpool.

He spent most of his time in City’s youth ranks playing as a midfielder or wide-attacker, but has been pressed into service as a striker during the early stages of his Boro career.

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The Teessiders are expected to sign at least one more striker before the transfer window closes, but with the opening weekend of the Championship season now just a fortnight away, there is a good chance Rogers could find himself starting in attack when the real action begins against Millwall.

And while the youngster admits he has to sharpen up his finishing, he is confident of being able to make his mark in a centre-forward role.

“It’s not somewhere I’ve really played a lot, until last year,” said Rogers, who is an England Under-20 international. “I think I’m getting more comfortable and getting better playing as a striker.

“I’m getting used to the players I’m playing with and surrounding myself with. I’m getting to know the players that are behind me, and starting to build relationships. I’m only going to improve in that role.

“There’s still areas I know I need to improve – I need to be sharper in front of goal if I want to stay in this team and play in this team.

“We ultimately need to score goals. In the last couple of games, I’ve had chances that I know I should have scored – and I will come the start of the actual season.

“That’s definitely an area I want to improve on, but I’m learning on the job and enjoying it. I’m loving playing up there, I’m getting loads of the ball, and I always feel as though I’m involved. I’m enjoying it.”

Pre-season games are all about honing match sharpness, and Rogers feels he is improving with each outing in a Boro shirt.

He failed to convert a couple of first-half half-chances against Betis, but is confident the goals will soon begin to flow.

“Obviously, I look at myself and I want to improve,” said Rogers. “I know I can do that. I’ve just come back, so maybe it comes down to lacking a little bit of sharpness, but at the same time, I want to be sharp in these games leading into the season and I want to be scoring.

“I will come good, I know I will. I just have to keep practising, keep working on the training field, and I know it will come.”