Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick has stated that Kelechi Iheanacho is eager to play for the club following his move.

Iheanacho, 28, joined the Sky Bet Championship outfit on a loan deal for the remainder of the season from Sevilla.

The Nigerian international played in the Championship last season with Leicester City before securing a move to the La Liga outfit after his contract with the Foxes expired last summer.

Despite his experience and pedigree, the Super Eagles forward struggled to break through the Rojiblancos' first team, making just 11 appearances and registering three goals.

Carrick has disclosed that the former Manchester City forward is looking sharp in training and is poised to play for the club.

“Kels has experience and pedigree—he’s been well-known for a long time. He played against us last season at the Riverside, and while we managed to come out on top that day, he showed his quality,” Carrick was quoted by the club’s official website.

“He’s desperate to play, and he has a fantastic personality. Since arriving, he’s been great in training and has settled in well with the squad. We have a strong attacking lineup, and while not everyone can play at the same time, we can use that depth to our advantage.”