MICHAEL Carrick says Alex Gilbert has a "bright future" at Middlesbrough, regardless of whether the young forward heads out on loan this month as Boro consider the best course of action for the young forward.

Gilbert found game-time hard to come by last year but took his chance in a couple of outings late in the campaign and built on that with an impressive showing in Wednesday night's Carabao Cup win at Elland Road.

But as much as the 22-year-old has developed since his arrival in the summer of 2023, Gilbert still faces fierce competition for places in the attack, with Delano Burgzorg and Micah Hamilton both arriving this summer to join a forward line that already contained the likes of Isaiah Jones, Finn Azaz, Riley McGree and the injured Marcus Forss.

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Gilbert is most at home playing as a No.10, a role which looks set to be occupied by Azaz, while Burgzorg and Hamilton can both play in that position.

And although he's likely to be back on the bench for tomorrow's trip to Derby, Gilbert again showed Carrick what he was capable of at Leeds and is knocking on the door.

“For sure, Alex has developed a lot in the time he’s been here - just over a year now," said the head coach.

"I think you can see that. He had a big couple of games at the end of last season and a couple of big individual moments for him to feel that belonging within the group and knowing that he can play at the level.

"This was another step for him, so we’re really pleased with him."

Until the final weeks of last season, a summer loan switch looked a certainty for Gilbert but he's played his way into Carrick's plans and the next step is not clear at this stage.

Boro will obviously consider how much football Gilbert will play this season but his displays at the end of last term and at Leeds were extremely encouraging and Carrick won't want to risk leaving himself short in attack, even if he is currently spoilt for choice. Gilbert is understood to have impressed since the very start of pre-season.

He said: “Alex is doing well at the moment. Not speaking about Alex specifically here, but you can’t guarantee anything at this stage.

"You never know what will pop up. But Alex has done really well, he’s part of the group - a strong part of the group - and he’s developing all the time.

"We hope that he’s got a bright future here, that’s for sure.”