MICHAEL CARRICK is hoping next season proves to be a key one for Josh Coburn, and is confident the striker is more than capable of overcoming the physical issues that hampered him last term.

Coburn was sidelined from early February onwards because of an injury issue that affected both his pelvis and groin, with Carrick admitting the 21-year-old was still suffering from growth-related problems that were affecting his physical capabilities.

The forward should be able to return at the start of pre-season, meaning he should be available for Boro’s opening matches of the new campaign.

Carrick is looking forward to having him back in the fold, and is confident Coburn can kick on again next season.

“For Josh, for any player, next season is the big season,” said the Boro boss. “Sometimes, you’re coming off the back of a season when everything has come easy and you’re flying, other times things haven’t gone so well and that might not be totally in your control.

“But for Josh, he’s a young player, he’s still developing physically. He’s an incredible athlete in what he’s capable of doing, but he’s still kind of finding his body and getting rid of the niggles.

“He’s got plenty of time on his side, so there is no rush for that. He just needs to keep doing things right to give himself the best chance, which I can’t fault him for.”

Carrick is especially keen to see Coburn return for the start of pre-season training at the end of next month ready to hit the ground running.

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Boro are yet to confirm their pre-season playing schedule, but are expected to combine an overseas training camp with a number of domestic matches.

“When you come back in after the summer and you’re attacking pre-season to get yourself physically and mentally ready for the new season and the challenges ahead, it’s so important,” said Carrick.

“It’s not just a case of coming back in and ticking over, you’ve got to be in the right frame of mind to tackle and attack every obstacle. You look at a player like Jonny (Howson) and the lifestyle he leads and everything he puts into his career, it takes a lot of work and dedication.”

Boro completed their first summer signing earlier this week when Luke Ayling turned his initial loan move from Leeds United into a permanent transfer by signing a two-year contract.

The Teessiders are expected to add to their attacking ranks this summer, with the purchase of a new forward a key priority.

That should not impinge on Coburn’s prospects of securing regular first-team football too much though, with Carrick confident the Bedale-born youngster will get plenty of opportunities to impress next season despite his struggles in the second half of the previous campaign.

“For sure, (he’s shown his quality),” said the Boro head coach. “That’s why I say, it’s not a case of now or never. It sometimes takes a little time to work things out and careers are very rarely one-way streets.

“There are always little bumps along the way that you’ve got to deal with. It’s what’s around the corner and what’s next which is the thing to look forward to the most.”