Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis has lept to the defence of summer signing Jordan Hugill following the former Preston man's misfiring start to the season.

Hugill has struggled for any sort of form and fitness since making the move to the Riverside, but his manager has found some positives in Hugill's latest outing last week.

"I thought Hugill was very good the other night, probably the best he’s played since he came here.”  Pulis was quoted saying in the Hartlepool Mail.

“The big thing with Jordan that people have to recognise is he was signed by West Ham (in January) and never really played a game from that point onwards so he missed the second half of the season, not playing any games and he got injured in pre-season so he didn’t have a pre-season.

“So the kid’s had half a season not playing because he wasn’t selected and then he’s missed the full pre-season because he’s injured so he’s never, ever been as fit as he was at Preston when he was scoring goals.

Middlesbrough have made a solid start to the Championship season and remain firmly in the hunt for the top two, and Pulis will no doubt be hoping Hugill can rediscover his goalscoring touch.

Hugill arrived at Boro on a loan deal after securing a move to West Ham last year, a move which failed to yield any success for the big striker despite impressing in the Championship for Preston in the season previous.

Middlesbrough fans, what do you think to this? Do you have any faith in Hugill? Let us know in the comments!