MIDDLESBROUGH’S search for a striker goes on but Chris Wilder takes comfort in the thought of playing Riley McGree as a number ten after his recent displays in pre-season.

The Australian has featured in Boro’s last three friendlies in an advanced midfield role just behind the striker and scored in their 3-0 win over Morecambe.

The 23-year-old has played in the position before through various spells throughout his career with manager Wilder happy to have the option ahead of the league season.

Speaking after their win over Morecambe, the manager said: “I thought he was bright. He plays the position really well. The level of opposition that we’ve played that and contrasting that to the level we played on Friday (Braga), it was an uncomfortable night but in a way, lessons learned more than maybe on an easier night. So we’ve had both sides of it.

“I think he is an exciting player. He’s got in the box and had two or three shots, he links play, he’s bright and intelligent, he’s got good athleticism and he was the type of player that we wanted to attract. We’ve done that.

“We’ve attracted Riley and Giles. The modern day game is mobility, speed, distances covered. You’ve got to be an athlete and be able to run and Riley can run and play. That is the characteristics we need this season.”

The current state of play is that Boro have three bids in for Premier League strikers.

Brentford striker Marcus Forss looks set to complete a move to the Riverside having completed a medical yesterday.

Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz is set to complete a loan move to Teesside but as things stand, Boro are waiting for the green light from the Premier League side who are plotting their own move for a striker.

Meanwhile, Wilder is offering renewed hope to outcast Chuba Akpom who has returned to training with the squad and featured in their recent friendly win over Marseille coming off the bench in the second half.

The Northern Echo: Chuba Akpom in action for Boro in pre-seasonChuba Akpom in action for Boro in pre-season (Image: Tom Banks)

Irrespective of how their scenarios pan out, McGree will be considered as a number ten for the Championship campaign which kicks off against West Brom this week.

McGree’s early Boro career took a while to get going after joining on a three-and-a-half year deal from Charlotte FC. A combination of injury, spending time on international duty with Australia and testing positive for Covid halted his early playing time. However, he forged his way into the team towards the end of the season as Boro just missed out on a place in the play-offs.

The early indications are that McGree will continue to be a key figure in the side regardless of Boro’s hunt for new forwards.

“We knew he could play ten” Wilder continued: “Last year we had the boys that we had in and it was stop start for Riley. Going away, coming back late and then getting him up to speed. He had an issue with his calf but you’ve seen what a good pre-season has had the effect on him. He’s going to be a big performer at the top of the pitch this year.

“He can play in that position that he’s played last year. Tav can play there. He’s just one of those players that you ask him to do a job and he will do it to the best of his ability but he’s a good player and we’re expecting him to kick on this year.”