Middlesbrough's Ashley Fletcher has backed fellow striker Rudy Gestede to make an impact for the club in the coming weeks.

Having made the move to the Riverside Stadium from Aston Villa in January 2017, Gestede has scored just six goals in 55 appearances in all competitions for the club, with all five of his league appearances this season coming from the bench, and his contract with the club set to expire at the end of this season.

The most recent of those appearances saw Gestede make his return from his latest injury layoff in Saturday's defeat at Swansea City, and Fletcher believes the 31-year-old can kick on from that now, citing his own experiences as an example of how that can happen.

Speaking to the Northern Echo about Gestede - who 'Boro may well be forced to turn to in the coming weeks with Britt Assombalonga also sidelined by injury - Fletcher said: “It is never too late to turn your fortunes around here.

“I went to Sunderland on loan and now I am back and playing. As a footballer, you always have a chance to turn your fortunes around, whether it is for five minutes or 90.

"If Rudy can play and score then that will put him in a positive mind frame moving forward. He can have a big impact here.”

Reflecting on his own route back into the 'Boro side which has seen him become a regular for new manager Jonathan Woodgate this season,  Fletcher continued: “All I needed was games and a run of games.

“This manager has given me that. At first here I was in and out, the manager last year didn’t start me and brought me in and I did well.

“The manager now is really good for me and working with Robbie Keane day in and day out is good for me. I feel really at home here.

"I wouldn’t want to be playing anywhere else and I am enjoying having that responsibility."

It has been a difficult season so far for Middlesbrough, who are just three points clear of the Championship relegation zone, having won just four of their 22 league games in the current campaign.

The Verdict

This is one of those instances that reminds you just how strange a game football can be at times.

With his contract set to expire and game time not forthcoming, it had seemed inevitable that Gestede would be on his way out of the club this summer.

But now, Assombalonga's injury means he once again has a chance to prove himself at the Riverside Stadium, and if he is able to fill the void of Middlesbrough's main man, it may yet earn him a new chance at the club.

Indeed, even if it doesn't, Gestede will surely want to perform well enough to convince another side to make a move for him either in the January or summer transfer window.