MICHAEL CARRICK feels George McCormick has earned the right to be considered a full-time member of Middlesbrough’s senior squad.

McCormick was the breakthrough star of Boro’s pre-season programme, with the 19-year-old getting the chance to feature in the first team after Alex Bangura suffered a serious injury that will sideline him until well into next year.

The teenager seized his opportunity, performing impressively in the pre-season games, but has had to be patient since Neto Borges arrived to bolster Boro’s options at left-back.

McCormick has been a regular presence in the matchday squad this season, but aside from two outings in the Carabao Cup, his only involvement on the pitch came as a late substitute in the recent win over West Brom.

Nevertheless, Carrick was pleased with McCormick’s impact at the Hawthorns and regards the youngster as an important part of his broader defensive plans.

“In that moment (at West Brom), down that left-hand side, with Riley having only recently come back, we just needed that little bit more of a defensive nature really to try and manage the crosses and defend the box,” said the Boro boss. “That’s what George does so I didn’t think twice (about putting him on).

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“He’s earned it. He’s trained with us a lot, and it was a big seven or eight minutes or whatever it was for him. It just goes to show the importance of everyone being ready.”

Carrick highlights the latter stages of the win at West Brom as evidence of the importance of having both a strong substitutes’ bench and a group of replacements who are ready to make an immediate impact if called upon.

“Finishing a game goes under the radar at times,” he said. “There’s so much focus on who’s starting, but certainly, towards the end of the game, games can be won or lost quite often when there’s only ten or 20 minutes to go.

“I thought our impact from the bench at West Brom was particularly pleasing – Dela (Delano Burgzorg) came on and nearly scored and did a lot of good things.

“Izzy (Isaiah Jones) was fantastic when he came on with three or four actions that had a big impact while they were pushing for a goal.”