Middlesbrough's plan for George McCormick after breakthrough

Prior to this season, the 19-year-old had never been named in a Boro matchday squad, but after a hugely impressive summer breakthrough, when he caught Michael Carrick's eye, he's stepped up and established himself in the first team fold at the Riverside.

Since the start of the season, McCormick has been named in the matchday squad for eight of Boro's 15 league games, played twice in the Carabao Cup and signed a new long-term deal at his hometown club.

The next step?

“He decides what comes next ultimately, like any player, in performances," said head coach Michael Carrick.

Boro won't rush McCormick. Neto Borges arrived late in the summer transfer window and has established himself as the first choice left-back, while Boro also have Lukas Engel and Alex Bangura - both currently out injured - on their books.

With that in mind, Boro's coaching staff in the first team and academy will weigh up the next best step to ensure McCormick continues to move forward.

"There is a plan in place," said Carrick.

"Sometimes that might mean heading out on loan, sometimes that might mean staying around the group, sometimes that will be playing with the under-21s.

"A lot of that is down to timing and performance levels as well. At the minute, nothing can happen until January, so he’s around the first-team squad for training and playing games for the 21s. We’ll then take a decision after that."

RECOMMENDED READING:

• Tommy Conway's Ben Doak Liverpool claim as winger gives Boro striker 'what he wants'
• Middlesbrough face anxious injury wait after concerning Aidan Morris update
• Michael Carrick spells out his Tommy Conway & Emmanuel Latte Lath Middlesbrough plan

That McCormick was handed a fresh contract in October, just five months after signing his last deal, shows how much he impressed during the summer and early stages of the season.

Carrick said: “It was a natural thing for us, the right thing to do. George has done so well since he come back in the summer.

"I spoke about him a fair bit but obviously he came back for pre-season, came to Portugal with us and trained really well and took his opportunity really.

"Every single day he gives everything he can. He’s a dream to have around the group. He’s desperate to learn and desperate to do better. It was natural to give him a new contract and see what the next chapter brings."