MICHAEL Carrick is excited about what Emmanuel Latte Lath can go on to achieve at Middlesbrough after the in-form striker fired his way to the Championship's Player of the Month award for April.

Latte Lath scooped the prize after hitting seven goals in six games last month, including doubles in the win over Swansea and defeat to Leeds.

He's scored 17 goals in all competitions this season, a hugely impressive tally in his first campaign on Teesside after his summer switch from Atalanta - especially considering he missed almost two months of action at the start of this year through injury.

Latte Lath was up against Southampton striker Che Adams, Hull City's Liverpool loanee Fabio Carvalho and Bristol City defender Haydon Roberts for the April award and scooped the prize, to the delight of boss Carrick.

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“I think it’s massively deserved," he said.

"He’s had a big impact towards the end of the season, big goals and he’s got a big presence around the place.

"He’s infectious with his big smile and messing around a lot of the time, but focused at the right time. He’s a joy to be around.

"Most importantly, he’s shown his quality against good teams and good defenders, shown that he can score different goals as well. So we’re really pleased for him."

Only eight players have scored more Championship goals than Latte Lath this season, which bodes well for next term with the Ivorian having now fully got to grips with life in the English second tier.

“I think just scoring as many goals as he can to make us successful is the aim," said Carrick, looking ahead.

"If someone else scores an awful lot of goals then he can’t do much to control that. But certainly, Manu has shown us what he is capable of doing and moving forward we’re really excited with what he can bring."

Latte Lath said: “It has been a great month for me and the team, I am really enjoying my football and of course scoring goals. We’re all looking forward to what’s ahead.

“Thank you to all the amazing Boro fans, who have supported us home and away all season.”

Enzo Maresca won the Manager of the Month award after leading Leicester to the Championship title, beating Liam Rosenior, Danny Rohl and Neil Harris to the prize.