Chris Wilder explains Chuba Akpom's situation as Middlesbrough eye more signings after Sheffield United draw

The 26-year-old, who looked set to leave Teesside following a loan spell at Turkish club PAOK last term, scored twice against the Blades as Boro twice came from behind to earn a point.

Akpom wasn’t even training with the rest of Boro’s squad at the start of pre-season, despite the club’s lack of options up front.

Yet the striker is now very much part of Wilder’s plans, even though Boro are still looking to sign two more strikers this summer.

“It was a difficult situation for Chuba when I came in and a difficult situation for us,” said Wilder after the Sheffield United match.

“He doesn’t need to worry about anything else apart from he is going to be part of us going forward because he was outstanding.

“The attitude to his game was great. He could and probably should have come off at half-time but wanted to carry on.

“His individual performance was really good against John Egan, obviously it was congested around that area. His goals were great and I thought our first goal was great. "

Akpom was forced off the field in stoppage-time and replaced by new Boro signing Matthew Hoppe, yet Wilder revealed the change could have been made sooner.

“I have to say I didn’t see him at half-time because he was in the treatment room and had to be dragged off the pitch,” added Wilder when discussing Akpom’s performance.

“That’s what I’m looking for and that’s what supporters are looking for, and I thought there was a real connection between our supporters and players, and definitely Chuba.

“He’s part of it, he has to keep that going and obviously we are still looking to add to it.”

Boro will now prepare for Wednesday’s Championship game at Stoke and have just over two weeks to make more signings before the deadline on September 1.

New signing Alex Mowatt also came off the bench against Sheffield United to make his Boro debut, after completing a loan move from West Brom on Friday evening.

Player ratings as Middlesbrough draw with Sheffield United after Chuba Akpom double