Mustapaha Carayol would be an exciting signing for any Championship club.

So says Dominic Shaw, one of the reporters covering Middlesbrough for the local Evening Gazette newspaper.

The 26-year-old Gambian left winger is being linked with a possible loan move to Huddersfield Town.

“Muzzy is an old-fashioned type, quick and very direct,” said Shaw.

“He’s great to watch and popular with the fans up here.”

So why is the former Bristol Rovers player not so popular with Boro boss Aitor Karanka?

Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka
Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka

“The criticism you could level at him is a bit of inconsistency, especially in terms of end product from his runs, and a liking for attacking rather than defending,” explained Shaw.

“Karanka likes all his players to put in a shift defensively, and that’s not really Muzzy’s game.

“He was signed for Boro (in 2012) by Tony Mowbray, so Karanka inherited him.

“A nasty knee injury in March 2014 sidelined him for a lengthy spell.

READ: Huddersfield Town linked with Middlesbrough winger Mustapha Carayol

“The Boro team evolved in that time, and Muzzy ended up being loaned out (to Brighton and Hove Albion) last season to get some games.

“Even so, he signed a new contract here around the same time, and when he returned from Brighton, there was talk of him being involved in the play-offs, although that never materialised.

Middlesbrough's Mustafa Carayol

“Pre-season was then said to be a key time for him, but he seemed unable to catch Karanka’s eye.”

Now the talk is of the former MK Dons, Torquay United and Lincoln City player going out on loan.

“A lot of the fans up here would be upset to see him wearing another side’s colours,” added Shaw.

“But it’s possibly a case of a change of scenery freshening things up for Muzzy and allowing him to reignite his career.

“I think he could definitely do a job at Championship level and would be a good acquisition for Huddersfield.”

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