Alex Gilbert said Nathan Jones was the big pull as he made a loan switch from Middlesbrough to Charlton Athletic on transfer deadline day.

Gilbert was made available for loan late in the window as Boro secured incoming loan deals for Samuel Iling-Junior and Kelechi Iheanacho. Though Michael Carrick had talked up Gilbert’s potential to impact in the second half of the season after late heroics at Hull City, the new attacking additions (Morgan Whittaker also arrived earlier in the window) meant game-time was going to be hard to come by at the Riverside in the remainder of the season.

Boro still have plenty of belief in Gilbert and his prospects for the future, which is why choosing the right destination for his move was imperative. There was no shortage of interested parties in the 23-year-old, but in the end former Luton Town boss Jones, and the exciting brand of football he’s instilled with the Addicks this season, won Gilbert over.

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In his first club interview, he said: "I'm buzzing to finally get it done and finally be down here. Nathan Jones has been a big part of the reason that I've come. He's obviously a good, experienced Manager who has managed at a very high level, so it's been good talking to him. He's definitely sold it to me to want to come here.

"I'd say I'm a creative player who likes to get on the ball and make stuff happen, assist goals and hopefully score goals as well, and do my best for the team.I've seen the lads play now and it looks exciting. I'm glad to be a part of it. I'm hoping I can only add to that now, help improve things however I can and we'll see where we end up at the end of the season."

Gilbert will be hoping he’s done enough in training this week to go straight into the Charlton side this weekend when they host Stevenage at the Valley. They will be looking to bounce back after dropping two points at Blackpool last weekend thanks to a Sammy Silvera-inspired comeback. It leaves Charlton seventh, but outside the play-offs only on goal difference.

"I'm massively looking forward to Saturday," Gilbert said. "Charlton's obviously a big club and from what I've heard the stadium's really nice, so I'm looking forward to playing in front of all the fans!"