MATTHEW Hoppe is set for the Middlesbrough exit door this summer, with the striker well down the pecking order at the Riverside and not featuring in Michael Carrick's plans.

The 23-year-old joined Boro from Mallorca two years ago but is still yet to make a Championship start and has only made three league appearances since Carrick's arrival.

Hoppe spent the second half of his first season on loan at Hibs and then headed back to his homeland to join San Jose Earthquakes on a temporary switch last summer.

The MLS side didn't take up the option to make that deal permanent and Hoppe returned to the Riverside in December, but didn't play a single minute for Boro last term and was only on the bench on three occasions. That was despite the fact Carrick was down to the bare bones because of an injury crisis. But even when both Emmanuel Latte Lath and Josh Coburn were out injured in January and February, Hoppe didn't get an opportunity.

Delano Burgzorg arrived on the first day of the summer transfer window, pushing Hoppe further down the pecking order, and Boro are still in the market for another striker this summer. Marcus Forss will also be fully fit for the start of pre-season.

READ MORE:

Hoppe still has two years to run on his contract but with the striker not featuring in plans at the Riverside, a permanent exit would suit all parties.

The MLS is the most likely destination for Hoppe. The summer transfer window in the United States runs from July 18 to August 14.

Hoppe's career started with LA Galaxy before he joined Schalke. He impressed in Germany and became the first American to score a hat-trick in the Bundesliga before moving to Mallorca.

That switch didn't work out and the story has been the same at Boro, who beat Sunderland to the signing of the forward two years ago.