Middlesbrough FC striker Kyle Joseph on getting back to normal as Doncaster Rovers boss praises duo

An acrobatic hooked volley to open the scoring in Boro's 3-1 Carabao Cup triumph at Doncaster Rovers was some way to introduce himself to supporters.

For his part, he is just glad to start getting back to normal.

Almost three months to the day, Joseph was at Wembley with his former club Hull City, who beat his current one in the Championship play-off final.

The former Blackpool player was happy for his Tigers team-mates, but truthfully, he also had to put on a brave face.

He wore a protective boot—which precluded his involvement in the final—as he spoke to reporters afterwards amid Hull's joyous celebrations.

Joseph, who suffered a cruelly-timed ankle injury in the semi-final, second leg at Millwall, also missed out on the players' lavish post-season party in Las Vegas, paid for by club owner Acun Ilicali.

He now finds himself on Teesside following a £5million switch earlier in the close season and his strike at Rovers was a welcome moment to savour.

"Straight off the shin," he quipped.

"It was a good passage of play, to be fair. The centre-half was quite aggressive, so I thought if I try and peel off a little bit and get a bit of space and I improvised a little bit.

"I feel like I am improving every game and getting fitter.

"I think it's been difficult. It's one of those where you are always a little bit behind people that have come in who have had a full off-season and pre-season. I was a little bit behind in terms of the injury.

"It's about knuckling down and trying to get as fit as quickly as possible. I've been managed really well, including by the staff at Hull when I was there; big kudos to them.

"I'm getting fitter each day and can feel the benefits of it."

A welcome fillip was also afforded a player on the opposite side in the shape of Isaac Hutchinson, even if he was on the losing team.

A comparatively big-money signing for Rovers, the attacking midfielder arrived with a reputation for goals from the centre of the pitch.

His late consolation strike was a glimpse of his poise in front of goal, an instinctive drilled finish.

After a quiet start to his Rovers career, it was a step in the right direction for Hutchinson, who struck 18 times on loan at Cheltenham Town last term.

The 26-year-old is going to be a big player for Doncaster in 2026-27, for sure, with Rovers adding to their attacking midfielders on Wednesday by bringing in Aston Villa's Tommi O'Reilly on a season-long loan.

Rovers chief Grant McCann commented: "It's positive for Hutch and I am delighted for him.

"I thought he was really good in the game, I think he's going to just get better and better as the season comes and he's getting fitter all the time.

"He's been working very hard over the last couple of weeks to improve his fitness and sharpness.

"Look, there's still more to come. I think he showed it in large spells in the game, what he's going to offer us."

The other positive for McCann - who is assessing Jamie Sterry after he came off with a hamstring issue at the break - was someone who he knows particularly well.

The Rovers chief handed his son Bayley a maiden start for the club and he did not let him down, on the back of an encouraging cameo from the bench in last weekend's derby draw with his former club Barnsley.

The Rovers faithful serenaded McCann junior in song during the second half, further adding to his good feeling.

His 'old man' added: "He's a good player and it's sometimes easy to go: 'Ah well, it's his son'.

"I think the people who don't understand football will say things like that, but he'll let his football do his talking, like he's always said. "He was bright and energetic, his tracking and back, running forward, energy and aggression was good."

Progression belonged to Boro, who handed a debut from the bench to recent £7million signing Ashley Phillips.

Jeremy Sarmiento scored for the second successive game, while substitute Will Lankshear scored his fourth goal of the campaign.

Boasting a comprehensive squad, which could be further added to with the club pushing to sign American youth international midfielder Rokas Pukstas, Boro head coach Kim Hellberg is grateful for extra games in the competition to order to provide extra match-time for a number of his new signings to get fully up to speed.

Hellberg also took the time to experiment on Tuesday, with Max Arfsten deployed at right-back and Leo Castledine playing as a central attacker.

Boro's progress could also come in handy for recent arrival Sam Byram for instance, who should be in the mix for round three.