BEN Doak is "loving it" at Middlesbrough.
And the Liverpool loanee is loved by Michael Carrick and his coaching staff.
Scotland assistant manager John Carver has revealed that Carrick has been in regular contact with national team boss Steve Clarke and only had positive things to say about Doak and his fellow countryman Tommy Conway.
Carver described Doak's decision to join Boro on loan from Liverpool for the season as "great news" for Scotland and thinks the loanee will make huge improvements on Teesside.
Doak was in-demand in the summer and had plenty of options when Liverpool sanctioned his temporary Anfield exit - but the 18-year-old is delighted with the way things are playing out at Boro.
“I’m loving it,” said the winger, who has started the last three Championship games for Boro.
"It's good to get out there and start enjoying myself again. Starting games week in, week out helps you improve so much.
"Playing games here and there, you're never going to see the best of any player.”
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Doak has played on the right flank for Boro and there's been nothing to indicate that he'll be moved by Carrick in the future - but there is a curveball option for the head coach with the Liverpool youngster this week asked whether he could play up-front on the international stage given Scotland's attacking struggles.
“I'd be comfortable doing it,” he said.
"I played number nine in the youth teams so I think I'd be able to do a job that gives us something different to what we've got."
Scotland assistant Carver believes clubs - both Boro and Liverpool - and country will benefit from Doak's loan.
"The likes of Ben will get better playing against better players," the former Newcastle coach told the Scottish Sun.
"It’s great news that he’s gone to Middlesbrough on loan, and that he’s getting a regular game there.
“It’s also just down the road from me, so it makes it easier to go and watch him! But Ben’s getting the chance to play against better players now — it’s called accelerated learning, and you develop quicker and better.
“I know Steve’s had a chat with Michael Carrick and the staff down there and they love him, both him and Tommy Conway, who’s unfortunately injured at the moment.
“The fact that these two guys are young players who can play in the Under-21 group, but are going to get first-team football at Middlesbrough, will certainly benefit us."
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