MIDDLESBROUGH

striker Jordan Rhodes can stake his claim for a regular place in Aitor Karanka’s line-up when he starts tonight in the EFL Cup tie at Fulham.

Rhodes, a £9million signing from Blackburn, has been left kicking his heels as Boro have made an unbeaten start and last week reports emerged that he may be on his way out.

He was an unused substitute in the draw against Stoke and left out of the squad in Sunday’s 2-1 win at Sunderland. But Karanka insists the 26-year-old remains part of his plans.

“Everybody who is in the squad will have his chance,” he said. “I’m going to make changes because I have a lot of good players and for sure Jordan is one of them and he will have his chance.

“Jordan is a really good kid and I told him I trust him 100 per cent, the same way I trusted him when he came here.

“He understands that with Alvaro Negredo, David Nugent, with him and with Cristhian Stuani, who can all play in that position, there is more competition but it’s good for the team.

“One day he will have his chance.”