MICHAEL CARRICK has challenged teenage Middlesbrough midfielder Fin Cartwright to build on the experience of his senior debut at Huddersfield on Tuesday night as he looks to force his way into the first-team picture this season.

At the age of 16 years and 161 days, Cartwright became Boro’s second-youngest player of all time when he stepped off the bench at the John Smith’s Stadium, with only Nathan Wood having made a senior appearance for the Teessiders at a younger age.

Carrick does not expect the teenager to be a regular presence in his first-team ranks this season, and intends to share out Cartwright’s training time between the senior group and the Under-18s.

However, he is excited by the youngster’s potential and is hoping Tuesday’s substitute appearance has given him a taste of what could be to come.

“I think with Fin, it’s pretty much what you saw on the pitch (at Huddersfield),” said Carrick, whose side progressed to the Carabao Cup second round thanks to goals from Sammy Silvera, Isaiah Jones and Riley McGree. “I think the natural ability (is there), he always looks like he’s got time on the ball and has trained with us a fair bit over pre-season. But I’m conscious of the age he’s at.

“It’s our responsibility to help develop him really, as it is with all the academy players. At some point, he’ll be up training with us, and others he’ll be playing with the Under-18s. I just thought he deserved his chance (on Tuesday), I think he showed that quality in training.

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“The challenge for him now is (to build on) that first bit. It’s a big night and it’s great for him and his family, and I’m sure they’re really proud of him. It’s a terrific achievement to get that first one, but it’s the work next really that counts.”

Having come on to replace Silvera in the 86th minute, Cartwright spent the ten minutes or so he was on the pitch at the John Smith’s Stadium playing alongside Jonny Howson in the Boro midfield.

While Cartwright was making his first appearance in senior football, Howson was clocking up his 700th, a notable milestone for the 35-year-old.

Having signed another one-year extension in the summer, Howson remains as influential as ever within both the Boro dressing room and the starting line-up, and Carrick has told Cartwright he could not wish for a better role model as he attempts to develop his midfield skills.

“I’m sure he’ll (Cartwright) be fine,” said the Boro head coach. “He’s got the example of Jonny Howson playing 700 games at the other end of the scale to learn from and take any bits from.

“Jonny is the prime example (of being a professional), and key to that. It’s a funny night how it works and the extremes of the scale, but nevertheless, great achievements.”