From Archer is one plus point to take from a bad afternoon on Wearside

Carrick’s side, he is yet to start. But his 25-minute cameo against Sunderland was his best showing yet, despite what was ultimately a very disappointing day for Boro.

Not long after falling behind and having a man sent off, Carrick threw on the forward as he looked for a way back into the game.

With Chuba Akpom becoming the main striker, Archer and Riley McGree then played just off him in a more narrow forward three for Boro. It had the desired effect in terms of making Boro a threat and they actually had their best spell in the game at this point and up to Sunderland finishing the game off in the 82nd minute. Archer looked bright and sharp.

Asked about him after the game, Carrick said: “Cam has been terrific and has trained really well. He’s an important player in the group now and it’s not easy to pick a team when everyone is playing so well. It’s nice that we have the options, but trying to get everyone into the team who deserves it is not always easy.

“But there are plenty of games to play to do that. I was really pleased with Cam when he came on, in a slightly different position as well. He did ever so well.”

While Matt Crooks has offered something for Boro since moving up front, it only feels like a matter of time before Archer becomes the regular starting centre-forward.

That’s ultimately what he’s been signed to do, with Boro and Carrick feeling that he has the ability to strengthen their starting XI.

While different games will lend themselves to different attributes, with Archer the more mobile and Crooks the more physical of the two, you feel ultimately that as soon as the Boro boss feels he is sharp enough, Archer will be the more regular starter.

In that sense, Archer’s lively cameo was a positive from an otherwise disappointing afternoon.

That sharpness is clearly coming, but of course, 25 minutes is very different to 90, and Carrick has some of the best medical and sports science consultants around him to ensure such a decision is made at the best possible time.