Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock has insisted that winger Patrick Roberts will be given opportunities to play for the club's first-team this season.
Roberts rejoined 'Boro on a season-long loan from Manchester City back in the summer transfer window, but has found game time hard to come by so far.
The winger has made just four league appearances for Warnock's side since returning to the Riverside, starting on just three occasions, but Warnock is still confident the 23-year-old will have a part to play for his side this season.
Discussing the prospect of Roberts playing more regularly as the season goes on, Warnock was quoted by The Hartlepool Mail as saying: “With a squad like we’ve got, he’ll get chances.
“There are certain games where you look at the opponents and not necessarily think you could get away with it, but just know you could give him an opportunity in the area."
Indeed, it does seem as though Warnock is waiting for the right moment to throw Roberts into the action from a tactical perspective as well, as
he went on to add:
“There’s no point in playing him in an area he’s not comfortable. For example, my lads at the minute, if they’re playing wide, are having to chase full-backs. That’s no Patrick’s game really.
“It’s just a matter of trying to get him in the right areas when I put him on or when he plays. He’s training hard enough.”
Middlesbrough go into their match with Stoke at the Bet 365 Stadium on Saturday afternoon tenth in the Championship table, two points adrift of the play-off places.
The Verdict
I don't think there is much to worry about for Roberts in terms of game time at the minute.
As Warnock says, 'Boro do not have a big squad at the minute, and with so many games coming up in a short space of time, the need to rotate means Roberts will surely get his opportunity sooner rather than later.
Indeed, with the way 'Boro are playing at the minute, it would be hard to justify Warnock changing his starting XI if he does not need to, meaning you feel Roberts is going to have to be patient for the time being.
