“In good shape” – Middlesbrough coach reveals ‘hungry’ Iheanacho can’t wait to get started

Middlesbrough  head coach, Michael Carrick, has revealed Super Eagles striker, Kelechi Iheanacho, is buzzing to get started at the club, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 28-year-old versatile attacker joined Sevilla from Leicester City on a free deal last summer, but life in Spain didn’t go well for the ex-Manchester City man.

In a bid to get more playing time and goals under his belt, Iheanacho returned to the EFL Championship, penning a six-month loan deal with Middlesbrough.

Get Our Sports News First – Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!

Carrick, speaking about his observation on the Nigerian forward so far, revealed there’s a certain hunger about him, hinting Iheanacho is ready to make heads roll in Riverside.

“Kel’s got some great experience and pedigree with the level he’s played at over a long, long period. He played against us at the Riverside last season, and even though we managed to come out on top that day, I thought he really showed his quality and what he can bring,” the former Manchester United said in quotes revealed by Teesside Live.

“He’s desperate to play. He’s been a fantastic personality since he arrived and has trained great with the boys. He’s desperate to get started.”

Quizzed about how he intends to use the former Leicester man in attack, Carrick said;

“Tommy is here and is a massive part of what we do, and now we’ve added Morgan [Whittaker], Kel and Sam [Iling-Junior] too, to add to what we’ve got.

“We feel like we’ve strengthened in a different way rather than one in, one out or like for like. Across that frontline I think we come out of the window with good balance and really good options.

“Not everyone can play at the same time, but I think we can use that to our advantage. The game is increasingly moving in a direction where you need more players, whether that’s for starting games or coming off the bench at different times. I think we’re in good shape,” the former Manchester United Interim manager concluded.

Iheanacho could make his debut for Middlesbrough this evening when they travel to face Sheffield United in the EFL Championship.