HE HASN'T played as much football as he'd have liked this season but smiling Dan Barlaser remains a "massive influence" in the Middlesbrough dressing room and highly valued by boss Michael Carrick.
Barlaser has started just one Championship game so far this season and the former Newcastle United youngster finds himself behind Hayden Hackney, Aidan Morris and Jonny Howson in the Boro midfield pecking order.
But he caught the eye from the bench at QPR in midweek, scoring his first goal for the club with a late curling strike into the bottom corner. And while he's likely to once again have to settle for a role as a substitute when Luton Town visit the Riverside tomorrow, Carrick says Barlaser remains a major part of his Boro plans and a pivotal figure behind the scenes.
"He's fantastic, Dan," said Carrick.
"He's one of the personalities in the group. Every day in training he's smiling and joking, he trains well, his attitude is good, his quality is obvious. He's a big part of the group and has a massive influence.
"I'm really pleased with everything he's doing. Yeah, he probably wants to play a little bit more, the boys who have played have played ever so well in there. That's part of being in a good squad.
"But I'm delighted with him. The way he goes about it every day and the way he handles himself with his character and personality is spot on."
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It'll be two years in January since Barlaser joined Boro from Rotherham United and while the 27-year-old has been a useful squad member, he's never been able to nail down a regular starting spot in the side.
Howson and Hackney were first choice when fit last season, and Morris has quickly established himself since his summer arrival.
But Carrick said: "That's just being part of the squad and what we feel is a good squad with good players. That's how it lies.
"We value Dan a lot, we value everyone in this squad a lot. Dan really enjoys it here, as do all the boys, and they understand to be part of a good team and be successful, part of it is having to share the load a little bit."
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