MICHAEL CARRICK claims Josh Coburn’s performance in yesterday’s 2-1 win over Southampton highlighted why he opted to keep the striker on Teesside as part of Middlesbrough’s squad this season.

Having spent last season on loan at Bristol Rovers, Coburn was being lined up for another loan move for most of the summer. Plymouth Argyle thought they had secured an agreement to sign the striker, but late in the window, Carrick opted to keep him as part of his squad.

Coburn started the season as the understudy to Emmanuel Latte Lath, but replaced the Ivorian in the starting line-up for Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Sheffield Wednesday.

READ MORE:

He retained his starting spot yesterday, and responded with an impressive attacking display that saw him win the decisive penalty that was converted by Jonny Howson and set up Riley McGree for a late effort that thudded against the base of the post.

Remarkably, it was Coburn’s first start of any description at the Riverside, with Carrick confirming the Bedale-born 20-year-old is developing into a key member of the squad.

Carrick said: “He was a real threat. It’s probably harsh of me to talk about individuals because we were so good as a team, but I get why people might focus on Josh.

“As a team, everyone gave absolutely everything they had. I was almost waiting in the second half to see who was going to drop off because they had put so much effort in, and emotional energy as well. They wanted it so much.

“In terms of Josh, I believe it was his first start here and as the game went, he grew into it well. He grew into the game on Tuesday night (at Sheffield Wednesday), and he grew into the game today too. He was a real threat, a real handful, and he showed good quality at times too.

“He could have got his goal, and could have set another one up, and I thought his all-round performance was fantastic. It was what we’ve been seeing, and why we kept him. He had his injury in pre-season, but he’s grown into it and he's a big part of the group now. I’m sure that will do him the world of good.”