Secret behind Aidan Morris' early Middlesbrough success

Middlesbrough are starting to find their after a mixed start to the Championship campaign, and are in good shape to mount a promotion push.

Michael Carrick's men entered the international break in seventh place in the table and poised to push on, if the wins over Queens Park Rangers and Luton Town are anything to go by. One of the reasons for their resurgence has been the form of summer signing Aidan Morris, who is beginning to form a formidable partnership in midfield with Hayden Hackney.

The USA international has established himself as a key man in Carrick's side following his move from Columbus Crew, and has started 14 of Boro's 15 Championship games so far this term. Carrick has been pleased with how the 22-year-old has adapted to life in England's second tier so quickly, but is also aware that he will have to monitor his gametime as he has little in the way of rest since moving from the MLS.

READ MORE: Manchester United legend's bold Middlesbrough message after 'battering teams' verdict

READ MORE: I've watched Middlesbrough all season and wouldn't give up on top two place

“We play with two holding midfielders quite close together in a partnership and, I think for us, it suits Aidan and he’s fitted in really well," he told CBS Sports.

"It feels like he’s been here a lot longer than he has. He’s played a lot of football, and has been playing since around February or March, so we’ve got to get the balance right for how much football he plays. But certainly, in the midfield as a pair, he’s having a massive impact for us at the moment."

Morris is currently on international duty with the United States for their two-legged CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final against Jamaica, with manager Mauricio Pochettino calling him alongside the likes of Leeds United's Brenden Aaronson, Weston McKennie of Juventus and AC Milan's Christian Pulisic.