Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka says Albert Adomah's exclusion from Ghana's squad for the just ended Africa Cup of Nations has spurred him on and expects the winger toà play a leading role in clubââ¬â¢s promotion push.
Adomah scored his first goal since October in Tuesday nightââ¬â¢s win over Bolton Wanderers at the Riverside Stadium, but it is the wingerââ¬â¢s defensive duties that have earned praise from his Spanish head coach.
Karanka revealed the 27-year-old has been working to improve that side of his game recently and he filled in at right-back during the defeat to Leeds United.
Adomah was disappointed to be dropped from Avram Grantââ¬â¢s squad but Karanka has revealed it has helped his club in the Championship.
ââ¬ÅI think he deserved to go, because heââ¬â¢s a very good player but I donââ¬â¢t know what is happening with his national team,â⬠Karanka said.
ââ¬ÅI think it was good for him because it meant he was very committed here. He is a very important player for us, not just on the pitch but in the changing room as well.
ââ¬ÅHeââ¬â¢s a good character. Heââ¬â¢s always joking but working hard. Heââ¬â¢s a winner and his personality is good. For me, it was good he didnââ¬â¢t go, but he did deserve to.
ââ¬ÅI think it has spurred him on, especially after scoring against Bolton. He is going to be more confident. In the last games, including the Man City game, he didnââ¬â¢t have a lot of chances but he created and worked hard.
ââ¬ÅHe could have lost his confidence a bit, but now he has scored he will be a very important player for us in the next two months.ââ¬