Liverpool teenager ready to be unleashed after handing manager selection headache

Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick has expressed confidence in Liverpool loanee Ben Doak's physical readiness to contribute to the team when needed.

The promising winger made a positive impression coming off the bench in last weekend's match against Preston North End, giving Carrick a week to evaluate the 18-year-old in training before Saturday's game against Sunderland.

Despite having only a few days to assess the new recruit due to his international duties with Scotland, Carrick is optimistic about Doak's potential.

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Doak earned his first senior cap for Scotland during the international break, appearing as a substitute in Nations League losses to Poland and Portugal. He particularly shone in the former match, although Scotland manager Steve Clarke cautioned that he was not yet prepared to start games at that level, having recently recovered from a knee surgery last December.

Back in Teesside, there is considerable anticipation to see the deadline-day signing in action, given his potential to be a game-changer for Boro. Carrick believes that Doak is physically ready, with the challenge now being to decide the right time to introduce him into the starting eleven.

"Ben's ready, definitely," Carrick affirmed. "He's fit and raring to go. He's young but he has an older head than his age suggests and he's eager to get started and be part of it.

"It's fantastic for us. Patience again, I keep saying, in terms of him hitting his peak level with the stage that he's at in terms of settling in and getting game time. But there's no issue or anything holding him back at this stage."

There's a growing anticipation to see Doak become a regular fixture in Boro's starting eleven, especially as Isaiah Jones continues to struggle with form. The team as a whole has had difficulty finding the back of the net consistently this season, which only amplifies the excitement around Doak's potential.

His confidence is certainly not lacking. His impressive performance against Preston, coupled with his positive influence behind the scenes at Rockliffe, has already made a significant impact on his new teammates and staff.

This was evident when he joined the senior Scotland squad for the first time earlier this month, jokingly suggesting they would have performed better at the Euros had he been fit.

"As he should be," Carrick said when asked about his confidence. "You've got to believe and back yourself and there's plenty ahead for Ben to settle in and hit the season."