LEWIS O'Brien's loan spell at Middlesbrough has by no means gone perfectly to plan but the midfielder's "special" character has wowed head coach Michael Carrick.
O'Brien joined Boro for a season in the summer looking to get his career back on track after his switch from Huddersfield Town to Nottingham Forest a year earlier hadn't gone to plan.
The 25-year-old was one of the Championship's best midfielders two seasons ago but he initially had to cover at left-back at Boro, before suffering a serious injury in September's win at Watford that resulted in a four-month spell on the sidelines.
Carrick was struck by O'Brien's dedication and professionalism during that lengthy spell out and has been equally impressed with the loanee since he returned to action.
And with Hayden Hackney and Jonny Howson both currently out injured, O'Brien is now likely to have his first prolonged spell in the Boro side in his best position.
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It's not clear at this stage what the future holds for O'Brien beyond this summer, with Nottingham Forest having changed managers since his City Ground exit, but Carrick is a big fan, and having talked when he joined about feeling like he had a "point to prove", the midfielder will be desperate to build on his impressive showing in Saturday's win at Leicester.
“He’s been great," said Carrick.
"He’s came on loan, played out of position initially at left-back and then he gets injured. He’s just coming back and finding his way back in, but his personality and character around the place is pretty special, to be honest.
"He’s thrown himself into it, so credit to him for that."
Carrick added: "He’s one of the ones who was central (to the win at Leicester) but everyone was, to be honest. I thought they were all brilliant.
"They are all good as gold as well, every one of them, even when they’ve been in and out of the team. Days like Saturday, when they come into the team, play well and get what they deserve, it’s the reward."
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