Can Hansen and Ayling lift Boro's season up a level?

SONTJE Hansen's excellent cameo 45-minute performance at Millwall may just have indicated that Middlesbrough's season is about to be transformed.

- ERIC PAYLOR

The grave fears that everyone has held about the weaknesses of Boro's attack dissipated in the second half when the lively Hansen was introduced.

He's still very raw, that's clear, but Boro's exciting new boy never for one minute looked out of his depth.

Hansen adapted immediately to life in the Championship fast lane by showing great determination and confidence on the ball. Whenever he received possession he was looking to race forward and make things happen.

One thing that had us all worried, following last season's frustrations, was that there was no apparent pace in the side to help Boro break quickly and effectively cause chaos on the break.

Hansen might just prove to be the man who can plug the gap. He promises to add the spark to the attack that has been missing since Ben Doak picked up his frustrating injury.

Hansen already looks as if he is ready to be pitched straight into Boro's starting lineup, though naturally the backroom staff must carry out a general assessment this week following his first run-out for the club.

Regardless of who Boro sign between now and the closure of the transfer window, Hansen is surely going to be pencilled in as a first team regular.

It's great to know that Boro have finally added a bit of creative enterprise, which is bound to have a positive effect in the dressing room.

The initial impact Hansen has made increases the competition for places among the attacking players. This is duplicated by the welcome return of Finn Azaz, who bounced back in style on Saturday following his injury and looks certain to earn himself a regular place.