"Desperate" - Michael Carrick issues Kelechi Iheanacho, Middlesbrough FC message | OneFootball

Kelechi Iheanacho is awaiting his first Middlesbrough appearance after deadline day move

Michael Carrick has issued an update on Kelechi Iheanacho’s Middlesbrough status following his deadline day switch.

The forward signed on loan from Sevilla until the end of the Championship season, with Boro aiming to fight for promotion to the Premier League.

The Nigeria international has yet to feature in Carrick’s side, but could make his debut on Wednesday evening when Middlesbrough travel to face promotion rivals Sheffield United.

Iheanacho earned promotion last year with Leicester City before moving to Sevilla in the summer, but he struggled for game time with the Spanish giants.

Michael Carrick issues Iheanacho update

Carrick has claimed that Iheanacho is desperate to get up and running with his new team since joining earlier this month.

He is excited for what the 28-year-old can bring to the side, highlighting both his quality in training and his experience prior to the clash against the Blades.

“Kel’s got some great experience and pedigree with the level he’s played at over a long, long period,” said Carrick, via The Yorkshire Post.

“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.

“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.”

Kelechi Iheanacho’s promotion experience

Iheanacho featured 23 times in the Championship last season as Leicester won the second division title.

He contributed five goals and one assist, as Enzo Maresca guided the Foxes back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Carrick will be hoping he can have a similar impact in the second half of this campaign, with the Teesside outfit aiming to earn a top six finish.

Middlesbrough travel to Bramall Lane to face Sheffield United this evening in an 8pm kick-off.

Iheanacho signing could prove a shrewd deal

If Carrick can get Iheanacho back to his best, then he is more than capable of scoring consistently at this level.

It’s been a difficult last few years for the striker, but this is an opportunity for him to show that he can still compete to a high standard.

Given Middlesbrough lost a key player in Emmanuel Latte Lath last month, Iheanacho could prove a really smart short-term solution as a replacement in order to maintain their play-off push.

This will be a test of Carrick’s man management, however, as he will need to work hard to get the best out of Iheanacho given his inconsistency in the last couple of seasons.