HE went somewhat under the radar last season but there's no getting away from the Middlesbrough importance of Marcus Forss - who has a gift, says head coach Michael Carrick.

While the likes of Chuba Akpom and Cameron Archer were often stealing the headlines last term, Forss established himself as a major player in Carrick's side in what was his first season on Teesside, scoring 10 goals.

He's been on the scoresheet seven times this season, even though he missed a few games early in the campaign and then had two-and-a-half months on the sidelines through injury.

Since his return he's scored five goals in 12 games, again underlining his importance and he was sorely missed after a hamstring problem forced the attacker to hobble off in the early stages of Boro's 0-0 draw with Blackburn on Saturday.

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Forss joined up with Finland's squad as planned at the start of this week and had his injury assessed. There's been no further update and it's not clear whether he'll be fit to feature against Wales in tonight's European Championship play-off semi-final qualifier in Cardiff, but Finland haven't called up a replacement so the Boro forward hasn't been definitively ruled out.

Boro and Carrick are keeping a close eye on developments, with the head coach desperately hoping the 24-year-old is fit to play a key role in the Championship run-in, with eight games to play when action resumes after the current stoppage.

"He has (been a massive player) for us over a period of time," said Carrick of the former Brentford attacker.

"He's had a couple of spells out injured but in the main, he's a finisher. If he gets chances, most of the time he hits the target for sure. He's got a good strike rate. He's got a natural instinct and gift for that.

"We've ended up playing him a bit narrower and through the middle at times recently and he's had that instinct."

Forss arrived at Boro as a striker but has played most of his football under Carrick on the right flank, with his versatility another string to his bow, says the head coach.

"He can offer both," said Boro's boss.

"I do think we have a lot of players who can do that which is really helpful. We can tweak and adapt things, whether they play high, inside, wide, a bit deeper. It gives us options and the boys are willing to take that challenge on.

"Marcus has done fantastic. Obviously the goals are a huge bonus."

Forss will be desperately hoping to be fit for tonight's European Championship play-off semi-final in Cardiff, with the winners moving on to host either Estonia or Poland for a place in this summer's tournament.