MICHAEL CARRICK is keen to continue drip-feeding Middlesbrough’s brightest young talents into the senior squad – but has warned the club’s emerging Under-21s stars they might have to be patient as they wait for an opportunity in the first team.

Boro’s Under-21s have made an extremely strong start to the season, and currently sit in third position in Division One of Premier League 2, four points behind league leaders Tottenham but a point ahead of both Arsenal and Liverpool.

The likes of Bryant Bilongo, Calum Kavanagh and Fin Cartwright were all involved with Boro’s senior group during pre-season, and throughout his reign, Carrick has been quick to call-up his youngsters for first-team training sessions before dropping them back down to academy level.

That process will continue over the next few months, although the depth of senior talent at the Boro boss’ disposal means it does not necessarily mean the club’s youngsters should expect to be involved on a senior matchday.

Alex Gilbert, a summer signing from Brentford’s B team, was handed a senior debut as a second-half substitute in last month’s Carabao Cup win at Bradford City, but for now, most of Boro’s academy talents will be developing their talents on the training ground and in Under-21s matches rather than as part of the first-team playing squad.

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“In the first-team squad, we have some real choices to make in terms of personnel and numbers,” said Carrick, whose side return to action on Saturday when they host Birmingham City at the Riverside. “But we love trying to get the players up with us and training with us and being around the group and giving them the opportunity. The Under-21s have had some good result and I’m pleased for them.

“That’s what we want, we want them to be in and around us and pushing on a daily basis, so that’s fantastic. We try and give as many of the young players a chance to come up and be around it as we can. A lot depends on the first team and the numbers. There needs to be an opening, you have to earn the spot. But, of course, it’s something we do when we can.”

The other route that provides emerging youngsters with senior experience is the loan system, and Carrick will continue to assess his loan options on a case-by-case basis.

Last week, 20-year-old forward Terrell Agyemang joined National League side Hartlepool United on a short-term loan, while teenage midfielder Fenton John left Boro’s academy ranks to join Northern Premier League side Morpeth Town on a short-term basis.

Boro also have five of their more senior players away from Teesside on loan. Goalkeepers Sol Brynn and Liam Roberts are at Leyton Orient and Barnsley respectively, with the former having started Orient’s weekend win at Carlisle United in League One and the latter having started all 12 of Barnsley’s league matches in the third tier this term.

Jeremy Sivi is on loan at League Two side Harrogate Town, Zach Hemming is in Scotland with St Mirren and striker Matthew Hoppe is in the United States playing with San Jose.

“I think loans always have an effect on younger players and you have to make the best of it,” said Carrick, who has repeatedly highlighted the positive impact Josh Coburn’s loan spell at Bristol Rovers last season had on the striker’s development. “Sometimes, it’s through the football, sometimes it’s the success of a loan, sometimes it can be the struggle of playing, not playing, living away from home.

“There’s all sorts that goes into a loan, and there’s a loan decision on all the young players at some point and it can change so quickly. At that age, you need to decide what path is best for them. There’s a group of the boys in the 21s where we need to make the best decision for them and the club.”