MICHAEL Carrick says Matt Crooks has "big moments in him" after the striker came to the rescue again for Middlesbrough at Bristol City.

And the timing of the towering frontman's latest crucial goal couldn't have been better - for he was just about to be replaced.

Cameron Archer was stripped on the touchline and ready to come on but while the Aston Villa loanee waited for a stoppage in play to be introduced, Boro struck a leveller as Crooks kept his cool and slotted home his seventh goal of the season.

And not for the first time this season, Crooks struck at a time of need for Boro.

The former Rotherham man scored dramatic late winners against Norwich City and Luton earlier in the season and hit a crucial brace in the win at Birmingham.

And this time he completed Boro's two-goal fightback at Ashton Gate.

“We were thinking about making two or three subs at that point because we were trying to change the momentum a little bit," admitted Carrick.

"Timing is a funny thing. I was delighted for Crooksy. I say all along how important I believe he is to the group and he’s got big moments in him.

"I was delighted for him to get his goal and I thought we actually might have gone on and won it at that point."

Since Archer's January loan arrival, the Villa forward has established himself as Boro's first choice striker, but Carrick says Crooks still has a crucial role to play in the promotion run-in.

He said: "He gives everything for the team, puts the team first, and is so unselfish with so much of his play. He can have a massive impact and a massive say on how we finish the season."

READ MORE:

Archer did eventually replace Crooks and thought he'd struck a stoppage time winner only for the offside flag to be raised.

Carrick said:  "When we did eventually bring him (Crooks) off we just felt he’d given everything he had and we brought Cam on thinking he might get that chance. Which he did as well, and he put it away ever so well - it was a hell of a finish.

"That’s what Cam can do. Riley (McGree) came on and had a bit of a chance as well. So on another day...but they’ve had chances as well, so it is what it is."