A LOT can change in 12 months in football.

This time last year, Hayden Hackney was nowhere near the first team picture at Middlesbrough.

Extremely highly rated by academy coaches, Hackney was valued at Boro but wasn't part of the first team plans of former boss Chris Wilder.

But with Wilder's exit came a change of fortunes for Hackney. Handed a first team opportunity by the interim coaching team led by Leo Percovich, the Redcar-born midfielder impressed the watching Michael Carrick, who was studying Boro before taking charge.

And after Carrick's arrival, Hackney quickly established himself as one of the leading lights in the second tier, finishing last season with a nomination for the Championship's Young Player of the Year.

Such was Hackney's progression, a new contract in December was followed by yet another new deal this summer, a reward for the gifted 21-year-old, who was being watched by Premier League clubs.

Whereas Hackney was something of an afterthought in the first team picture this time last year, now he's one of Boro's star men as Carrick's side plan for a Championship promotion push this season.

What so impressed the head coach about Hackney last season was not only the youngster's ability to keep his feet on the ground but also his desire to constantly improve.

And it's something Carrick has again noticed during pre-season. Hackney, he says, is "being a bit more expressive with his passing".

And one challenge for the midfielder this season as he looks to continue his rapid development as an all-round midfield player is to add more goals to his game.

Not that he'll be judged by Carrick on that, but after his strike against Auxerre in the final pre-season friendly of the summer, the head coach has backed the midfielder to add more goals this season than the three he managed last term.

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"It was great for Hayden (scoring against Auxerre) and I think he can add that to his game," said Carrick.

"He constantly adds things to his game. He's being a bit more expressive with his passing and a bit longer range, a good variety to his play. That's what we're always working on, trying to help him develop.

"Goals is the magic ingredient. I don't judge him on how many goals he scores this season but of course he's a midfielder and if he can chip in with that even better."

Hackney will wear the No.7 shirt for Boro this coming season and, with Jonny Howson having missed the majority of pre-season with injury, looks set to be partnered by Dan Barlaser in midfield in the opener against Millwall on Saturday.