Carrick delighted to see Doak 'thriving'

Ben Doak shone for Scotland up against Josko Gvardiol of Croatia, helping tee-up John McGinn's late winner at Hampden Park

Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick admits even he is surprised by the rapid rise of teenage Liverpool loanee Ben Doak.

The winger, who turned 19 earlier this month, only joined Boro on a season-long loan in August and made his first start and scored his first professional goal against Stoke on 28 September.

The former Celtic youngster has started seven games since then, assisting three goals in his past two club games as well as laying on goals in Scotland’s vital wins over Croatia and Poland over the past week.

Carrick told BBC Radio Tees: “It’s everything you want. In terms of the level (he’s reached), it’s very difficult to envision something happening so quickly.”

Doak gave Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol a torrid time down the right wing at Hampden Park as Scotland overcame Croatia in the Nations League last Friday leading to plenty of attention on the youngster.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's Championship trip to Oxford United, Carrick added: "There’s no getting away from it, Ben’s having a really good time of it at the moment. He’s playing some good football and looking dangerous.

"The opportunity for him to come here and play and be part of the squad - he’s obviously confident. We know his strengths, it’s pretty obvious what he’s good at and he’s taken that on to Scotland as well."

Carrick feels he has a duty of care to the youngster and added: "We're really pleased with him, but for us it doesn’t change anything. It’s a long season so we’re certainly not getting carried away but it’s great to see him thriving at the moment.

"Then obviously going to Scotland and having an impact for them, it’s fantastic for Ben and great for us that he's with us and playing so well.

"We have still got to be careful, he’s still young, we have got to manage him and preparing him for going though the whole season."

Carrick also revealed he will be without midfielder Aidan Morris for "a number of weeks" after picking up a knee injury during training with the USA squad ahead of their Nations League quarter-final with Jamaica last week.

His midfield partner Hayden Hackney is also nursing an ankle injury but Carrick said he was "hopeful" it won't lead to a lengthy absence.