WEST BROM know only too well just what Morgan Rogers is capable of.

It was at Albion where Rogers progressed through the youth ranks and such was his talent and potential, Manchester City were tempted to fork out just £4m for the forward when he was just 16.

It goes without saying that Rogers' failure to make a senior appearance at City is nothing to be ashamed of and although a couple of loan spells at Bournemouth and Blackpool offered the opportunity of much-needed game time, the summer move to Boro presented the young forward - still just 21 - with the chance to settle down - and Michael Carrick's side are beginning to see the benefits.

"You can see he's growing here, he's at home here and belongs here and you can see him growing all the time," said Carrick on Saturday night.

Five of Rogers' nine league starts this season came in the opening weeks of the campaign when the forward was having to do a job in an unfamiliar role leading the line. It was unfair to judge Rogers on that stint - adapting on the job to new surroundings in a new role - but in recent weeks the versatile forward has started to show his class.

A number of promising cameos and impressive cup displays resulted in a deserved start against West Brom - and he took his chance. He scored the only goal and created a string of second half chances for Boro to extend their lead.

"He creates, he's dangerous, he's a huge talent," said Carrick.

"He's fantastic to work with, he wants to learn and get better all the time and is desperate to give what he can for the team which is brilliant. He's got a terrific attitude for the game and is showing his quality. He's scored some big goals for us, big goals in the cup and the goal against Birmingham here. He's scored some big goals. He's very creative."

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Boro's supporters are now starting to see why the club's recruitment team were so pleased to land Rogers in the summer.

Carrick said: "I think that’s the beauty of young players and the talent that everyone sees. We all see different things in players and we certainly saw enough in Morgan, first and foremost to believe we could help him. That’s obviously helping him to help us, but ultimately it’s about developing him.

"There is definitely something there. Sometimes it can take a little time, especially for younger lads, learning a new game, a new environment and dealing with the expectation and performing with that on your shoulders. He’s really taken to it and starting to make a real difference. So I’m really pleased for him."

Early in the season, during his stint as a striker, Rogers told of how he felt he needed to work on his finishing. Either he was being overly critical of himself or his hard work is paying off. Against Port Vale and West Brom, Rogers made his goals look easy.

"The one the other night wasn't easy, coming across like that on a pitch that was bobbly," said Carrick.

"He didn't rush it and he didn't rush it today. He could have had another one. The keeper makes a good save.

"He gets in them positions. He's one of those creative players that he does a lot of things that come off and even when something doesn't come off, as long as he's trying and his intentions are good, we'll take that because he's so dangerous."