Kim Hellberg set to block Middlesbrough player exit in January | OneFootball

Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg has praised Micah Hamilton for his performances in training, as he looks to keep the player beyond January.

Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg wants to keep Micah Hamilton at the club, as he insists he doesn’t want to let the attacker leave on loan in January.

There was a lot of excitement when Boro signed the youngster from Man City, as he had been highly-rated at the Premier League side, whilst he also played, and scored, for them in the Champions League.

However, Hamilton has struggled to show his quality on a consistent basis on Teesside, with his last start for the club coming over a year ago.

Kim Hellberg outlines Micah Hamilton plans ahead of the January transfer window

Therefore, it was agreed that Hamilton would spend the second half of last season with Stockport, but that loan move didn’t really work out, as he made just five League One appearances, all of which came from the bench.

So, it was always going to be difficult for him to force his way into Boro’s plans this season - and that has proven to be the case.

Yet, the recent change in management, with Hellberg succeeding Rob Edwards, appears to have changed the 22-year-old’s situation at the Riverside Stadium.

That’s after the new boss told the Northern Echo that he has been impressed with Hamilton, who he wants to keep at the club.

“I would not give up on Micah yet in terms of loaning him out. I think he is doing very well in practice and I like him a lot. He is a good guy, and he is training very hard. It is always a competition in football, we can only pick ten outfield players so it is always a battle to be part of that.

“But the way he has trained, even though he has not been starting or getting minutes, has impressed me a lot. We will see what happens with him, but I think he is a good player.”

Micah Hamilton must take any opportunities that come his way under Kim Hellberg

Firstly, this will be great for Hamilton to hear, as he will be desperate to show what he can do in the Championship for Middlesbrough, and Hellberg’s comments show that he is a fan of the player.

Plus, the ex-Hammarby boss has already demonstrated he is willing to give those who had previously been on the fringes a chance to play, with Alex Bangura and Alex Gilbert the big beneficiaries since Hellberg’s arrival.

So, that will act as extra motivation for Hamilton, and others, who had felt as though they were nowhere near the XI under Edwards.

Clearly, the fact Hamilton came through at Man City, and even featured for Pep Guardiola’s side on occasions, shows that he has a lot of talent, so it’s now down to Hellberg to get the best out of him.

The festive period is notoriously busy, so Hamilton might get a chance to impress, and it will be intriguing to see if he can turn his Middlesbrough career around when the opportunities do come his way.