Middlesbrough have had a number of players away on international duty over the current break.
One of those to have joined up with their national team, is Sammy Silvera.
The winger, a summer signing from Central Coast Mariners, was one of three members of Michael Carrick’s side to link up with the Australian national team for this month’s round of internationals.
Australia’s games saw them take on Lebanon in back to back World Cup qualifying matches.
Having been an unused substitute in the first of those games, Silvera was then handed a brief cameo for the reverse fixture earlier on Tuesday.
That it seems, is an opportunity where the Middlesbrough man managed to catch the eye, to some extent at least.
Sam Silvera was ‘lively’ in Australia cameo
While he may only have been on the pitch for eight minutes, by which time his side were cruising to a 5-0 win, Silvera still had some impressive moments in that game.
Writing about how the Middlesbrough man fared against Lebanon, Fox Sports Australia said:
“Didn’t have enough time to make an impact on the flank, but looked lively.”
Indeed, the stats do seem to back up that suggestion when it comes to Silvera. According to SofaScore, Silvera won two tackles during his brief time on the pitch.
He was also involved in six duels, winning three of them. Playing three passes, all were successful in finding a teammate, while he also recored one shot, off target, for the Socceroos.
This therefore, certainly looks to have been an eventful international cameo for the Middlesbrough man.
Middlesbrough may need Sam Silvera to step up
This outing for Silvera may well please Michael Carrick and co. back at The Riverside Stadium.
Marcus Forss has missed the international break with Finland due to injury. Meanwhile, Riley McGree had to withdraw early from the Australia due to his own fitness issues.
As a result, Middlesbrough now face the prospect of finding themselves short on attacking options when they return to action on Friday.
That will leave them needing more contributions from those they have still have fit and available, such as Silvera himself.
It has been a rather mixed debut season for the winger. Indeed, Carrick himself has recently suggested this campaign was supposed to be one of adaptation for the 23-year-old.
Even so, brief outings such as this one may give Silvera some confidence and momentum to build on when he returns to Middlesbrough after the international break.
Given the other options they are missing, that could be important for ‘Boro if they are to maintain their slim hopes of claiming a Championship play-off place.