TheCable

Super Eagles defender Kenneth Omeruo will become a better player having experienced the World Cup, his manager at Middlesbrough, Aitor Karanka, has said.

Omeruo played all four matches involving Nigeria in Brazil and Karanka believes it will stand him in good stead.

“He was handed the opportunity to play in the World Cup and he is now coming back to us a better player,” Karanka told The Northern Echo.

“He is a very important player to us. He is someone I love to have with us because he’s a player who came here from Chelsea and his mood was always perfect. He was always happy and fighting for his position.”

Omeruo made 14 appearances for the Championship team last season after he made a switch from Stamford Bridge to the Riverside in January on loan.

The 20-year-old is back on a second loan spell with Boro after ignoring overtures from EPL sides such as Hull City and QPR.