MICHAEL Carrick says he has the fierce competition for places that he craved at Middlesbrough - as Tommy Conway finalises his switch from Bristol City.

Carrick made seven changes to his Boro team at Elland Road on Wednesday night and those who come into the side took their chance, dismantling Daniel Farke's Leeds United on their way to a statement Carabao Cup win.

The performance and result highlighted the strength in depth in Boro's squad, which is set to be further boosted by the arrival of Conway.

The 21-year-old is on Teesside today putting the finishing touches to his permanent switch from the Robins, with the capture of Boro's leading striker target another huge boost for Carrick, though the head coach was reluctant to say too much on the matter in his press conference on Thursday.

"There's nothing to confirm from my end," he said.

"If and when there's something I can speak about I will but until anyone's my player it's not right to talk about."

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It's not clear at this stage whether the Conway deal will be over the line in time for the Scotland international to be involved at Derby at the weekend, but the striker will have a full week on the training pitch with his new teammates next week ahead of the visit of Portsmouth.

Carrick now has competition for places across the pitch, with the likes of Sol Brynn, Anfernee Dijksteel, Alex Gilbert, Delano Burgzorg and Josh Coburn all taking their chance at Elland Road and setting up a Carabao Cup second round tie at home to Stoke City.

Carrick said: "I thought every single one of the boys involved made an impact in a really positive way.

"That's exactly what we want and what I knew we were capable of. We're going to need that going forward. We're going to need everyone in the group to participate and make the most of it. They certainly did that last night and hopefully that will continue the longer the season goes."