MICHAEL Carrick believes Middlesbrough have struck the right balance in the loan market after learning from their past experience.

Two seasons ago, Boro were inspired by a string of fine temporary additions as they came close to winning promotion to the Premier League.

The likes of Cameron Archer, Aaron Ramsey, Ryan Giles and Zack Steffen shone on Teesside, but after missing out on promotion those players returned to their parent clubs and Boro were left having to overhaul their squad.

It was then that Boro made a conscious decision to change their approach.

The recruitment and coaching team would always still have an eye on the loan market but the priority was permanent signings and the squad would be supplemented by temporary additions rather than packed with them.

Now, if Boro make a loan signing, it has to either be seen as an opportunity too good to turn down or a deal where there's potential to make the move permanent.

That's the case with the two loan signings Boro made this season.

George Edmundson's Ipswich contract expires next summer so Boro could potentially sign the defender as a free agent if they so wish, as they did with Luke Ayling on the back of his successful stint last term.

And Ben Doak is a gamechanger who was very much in-demand when Liverpool sanctioned his loan exit in the summer, and he's shown why with his blistering displays for Boro and Scotland.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Carrick is understandably delighted with how Boro have used the loan market this season.

"It's something that, as a club, we try to exploit when we can, while getting the balance right," he said.

"We learned from what worked for us previously, and also what hasn't worked for us.

"It's not an exact science by any stretch but if you're going to bring players in on loan you want to make sure they have an impact in the right areas and do it in the right way.

"There are so many things that come together in terms of a young player's development, the two clubs and what's right for everyone. It's not always easy to make that decision, but there is definitely a part of it where you can make gains, and we feel like we have done that so far."