GIVEN his Middlesbrough importance last season, Riley McGree's bit-part role in the early stages of the current campaign raised eyebrows on Teesside.

But after starting the last three games in all competitions, scoring against Southampton and teeing up Morgan Rogers for his midweek goal at Bradford, Michael Carrick believes the Australian international is showing signs of his best form.

Not that Carrick felt McGree was doing anything wrong in the early weeks of the season. The head coach insists there was no hidden reason for his decision to start McGree in just two of the first six Championship games. It was, he says, just a case of opting for other attacking players.

But McGree has set about nailing down his place in the side once more.

“I think he’s found a good rhythm, Riley," said Carrick.

"I don’t like the word comfortable in terms of performance, but I think he looks comfortable in terms of his timing and rhythm and seeing the pictures. He’s then had his success with goals and assists.

"He is a big part of the group, and I said the same a couple of weeks ago when he hadn’t started a game or two. There was never a case of anything else other than finding a way to get him back, and he’s certainly been good this week.

“We have a squad and we can’t pick everybody. Riley was fit, but the boys were at different stages and it’s my job to make the big decisions and try and pick boys at the right time. He’s certainly coming into a good bit of form now. "

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Carrick has talked at length about his players having to step-up in terms of goals after the summer exits of the likes of Chuba Akpom, Cameron Archer and Aaron Ramsey. McGree's goal against Southampton last week was his first in the Championship this season but he has scored a couple in the Carabao Cup.

Carrick said: “It’s great to see Riley scoring and it’s something we know he’s definitely got in him. We’re not relying solely on Riley to do that, we want to see them spread across the group.

"If someone does go and score a lot of goals for themselves then fantastic, but I think we’re capable of spreading that across the forward  line and across the group. Big goals in big moments are important, and Riley produced one for us just before half-time last week."

While Carrick isn't short of options in the forward third, several of his attacking players are lacking senior experience - meaning McGree, who played in last year's World Cup, has a crucial role off the pitch as well as on it.

Carrick said: “I think you can just see his natural experience and benefits of time.

"Some boys stay level and some boys take other steps throughout their career, which is the beauty of being able to have a long career. Each chapter you’ve got to try and take the step and improve. Sometimes it’s not always to do with your understanding, sometimes it’s your composure and your demeanour and your character and experience can be a fantastic thing if you use it in the right way. Certainly, Riley keeps taking those steps forward and it’s really encouraging."

Boro head for Watford today (3pm) looking to build on successive wins and extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to four games.

Carrick said: “We can’t get carried away. We had a really good performance on Saturday, especially in terms of the opposition we were against. To have as much control as we did, it was an important game and I was really pleased. So that gives the confidence and belief going forward.

"We’ve got to get back to work and do it all again at Watford. I always want to be level-headed and the players have coped with it very well, which is really encouraging for the rest of the season."