MICHAEL Carrick believes the versatility of the young summer signings will benefit Middlesbrough in the long run, with the head coach impressed by how his new recruits have adapted to different roles since arriving on Teesside.

Boro's boss says the fact the summer captures are comfortable in various roles gives him flexibility in all areas of the pitch, but he's also stressed the need for patience with the young players.

Teenage defender Rav van den Berg is most comfortable at centre-half but was needed at right-back for Saturday's draw with Huddersfield in the absence of Tommy Smith, Anfernee Dijksteel and Paddy McNair, with Carrick purring afterwards about what he described an "incredible" display from the Dutchman.

Further forward, Morgan Rogers has demonstrated his versatility since arriving from Manchester City, with the 21-year-old having led the line in the first two games of the season before dropping deeper into the No.10 role against the Terriers, with Emanuel Latte Lath coming in up-front. Sammy Silvera, meanwhile, has also shown that he's comfortable on both flanks and can play through the middle.

In the long run, Carrick believes the players individually and his side as a whole will reap the rewards of the youngsters becoming increasingly comfortable in several positions.

Rogers and Silvera are both relatively inexperienced and while Boro are still looking to bolster their attack between now and next week's transfer deadline, the duo both look set to play key roles this season.

"Individually they can do different things and they've got different skillsets and can play different positions across the forward line," said Carrick of the pair.

"They obviously complement each other and it gives us flexibility. From my point of view it's great and I'm delighted we've got them because I know what they're capable of and what we can get out of them as the season goes on."

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Rogers looked more comfortable in the deeper No.10 role for Boro than he had as the striker in the first two games.

Carrick said: "He played number nine last season. He hasn't played an awful lot but I think again, for me looking on and it's similar to the Rav one (playing out of position at right-back) and I spoke to Rav before the game about how much it's going to benefit him by playing out of position and testing himself, learning like that.

"We're all clamouring for instant results but for someone like Morgan to get that experience to play of the left, play as a ten, play as a nine, he'll see the benefits of that soon and at some point. He's been fine Morgan and sometimes we're asking him to play different positions.

"Like Sammy - three positions - he'll be better for it in the long run and we've got to be patient and trust him. We'll certainly do that."

Silvera had a glorious late chance to hit a winner for Boro against Huddersfield on Saturday but the Aussie winger missed the target from close range, with Carrick backing the winger to quickly put the disappointment of that spurned opportunity behind him.

He said: "There'll be plenty more chances involved for Sammy. As I said, that's one game of the season and one chance that's come and gone.

"He did enough in that game to make up for it anyway. I thought he was terrific in a tough game and ended up playing in three different positions across the front and showed how much he can adapt. He'll be fine and we'll look after him."