Middlesbrough boss Karanka says AFCON snub has had positive impact on Albert Adomah
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 to play a leading role in club’s promotion push.
Adomah scored his first goal since October in Tuesday night’s win over Bolton Wanderers at the Riverside Stadium, but it is the winger’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 Grant’s squad but Karanka has revealed it has helped his club in the Championship.
“I think he deserved to go, because he’s a very good player but I don’t know what is happening with his national team,” Karanka said.
“I 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.
“He’s a good character. He’s always joking but working hard. He’s a winner and his personality is good. For me, it was good he didn’t go, but he did deserve to.
“I 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 didn’t have a lot of chances but he created and worked hard.
“He 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.”
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