‘Aggressive’… Michael Carrick offers verdict on Ben Doak following Middlesbrough debut

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Middlesbrough signed Ben Doak on loan from Liverpool during the summer transfer window.

Boro got the majority of their 2024 summer transfer business done early on.

However, Michael Carrick did make two deadline-day additions to his first-team squad.

Ben Doak joined Middlesbrough on a season-long loan from Liverpool while George Edmundson arrived at the Riverside on a temporary six-month deal from Ipswich Town.

Both players made their debuts on Saturday afternoon when Middlesbrough faced off with Preston North End.

Edmundson started the tie alongside Matt Clarke at centre-back and performed well.

Preston’s goal came from a frustrating Carrick tactic, which often leads to Clarke being dragged out wide to cover Boro’s left-back.

But Edmundson could do little about that and was largely solid across the 90 minutes, limiting the Lilywhites to just two shots on goal.

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Michael Carrick gives verdict on Ben Doak Middlesbrough debut

As for Doak, he was brought on in the 68th minute in place of Isaiah Jones on the right wing.

The Scotland international managed one shot off target, 14 touches and completed seven of his 10 attempted passes.

It was not the thrilling debut Boro fans will have likely been hoping for from the 18-year-old.

But Carrick was still pleased with Doak’s display, telling BBC Tees Sport that there is still ‘more to come’ from the Liverpool loanee.

He said: “You can see what he is. He’s attacking, he’s aggressive in the way he attacks defenders. There’ll be a lot more to come from Ben.”

• READ MORE: Kieran Scott explains why Middlesbrough signed ‘game-changing’ player in summer window

Will Ben Doak start for Middlesbrough vs Sunderland

The Preston clash was the last ‘easy’ Championship fixture Middlesbrough will have for a while.

Next up for Carrick’s men is a tough away outing against bitter rivals Sunderland on September 21st.

Despite losing to Plymouth Argyle on Saturday, the Black Cats remain a quality team and will be Boro’s biggest test of the season so far.

In turn, while Doak’s potential is clear, Carrick may opt against starting the teenager in such an important game.

Instead, despite his struggles for form in recent weeks, Jones will most likely keep his place in the eleven.

But we will still probably see the Liverpool man introduced from the bench at some point next Saturday.