QPR v Middlesbrough FC: Kim Hellberg relishing prospect of working with late transfer window additions
Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg has discussed the latest additions to his squad
Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg is relishing the prospect of working with the latest additions to his ranks.
A busy summer of recruitment at the Riverside ended with a flurry as loan deals for midfielder Connor Barron and winger Amario Cozier-Duberry were struck on deadline day.
They joined from Rangers and Brighton & Hove Albion respectively, giving Hellberg’s squad a double boost in the dying embers of the window.
Kim Hellberg welcoming new loan additions
“They will add more depth and quality,” said Hellberg. “It will be exciting to meet the two boys – they’re two young players with a lot of quality.
“I’m looking forward to meeting them and starting to work with them in training. There’s a lot of good qualities that they will bring for us.”
The pair followed Rokas Pukštas through the door following his permanent move from Hajduk Split on the last day of August.
Rokas Pukštas ‘ready to go’
Having featured prominently in Croatia before his move to the Riverside, the USA youth international midfielder is ready to go.
“Rokas can give us a lot of things,” said Hellberg. “He has played a lot of games, so physically he is more than ready to go.
“He's good on the ball, he can drive the ball in tight spaces, he’s good at heading the ball, and he’s good at getting himself into the box and scoring goals.
“It's a good addition for us from a central position who can drive the ball with high pace and play a lot of games.
“He is similar to Hayden [Hackney], but maybe a little bit higher up on the pitch. There are similar qualities in how mobile he is and good at driving the ball forward with a lot of pace.
“It’s just Hayden did that from a lower starting position whereas Rokas wants to be higher up the pitch. He wants to learn and he wants to develop - football is everything to him.”
Pukštas was on the bench for the midweek draw at Burnley but will be hoping for a debut away at Queens Park Rangers this afternoon. There could also be maiden outings for Barron and Cozier-Duberry.