New signing Adam Forshaw would love to make his Boro debut against his former club Brentford this weekend but knows he faces a fight to force his way into the team.
The 23-year-old enjoyed "two great years" at Griffin Park before leaving for Wigan Athletic in the summer, a move that hasn't worked out with the Latics struggling at the wrong end of the Championship table.
The Liverpool-born playmaker was keen on making the move to Boro as soon as he discovered Aitor Karanka's interest but is under no illusions about the size of the task facing him as he looks to break into the side.
"Competition for places brings the best out of everyone," said Forshaw.
"I can't expect to go straight into the team and to be playing. The lads who are in there at the moment are doing really well.
"The style of play is really good. It's a strong squad and I have just got try my hardest to contribute when I am needed.
"I'm a midfielder who likes to get on the ball and make things happen. I like to think I have got a bit of energy and I like to chip in with a couple of goals as well."
Forshaw is available to go straight into the squad for the game at Griffin Park on Saturday. He knows Boro's opponents better than most and said the Bees can be a tough nut to crack on home turf.
"They will be tough opposition on Saturday," he told the club's website.
"Their home ground is a bit of a fortress to them, so we'll have to be really ready.
"They get about 12,000 fans and they are really close to the pitch. They are a good set of fans and they are a really good football team, but I am more than confident that we can go there and get a result."
Forshaw admits it's been a "strange" few days after learning of Boro's interest but was delighted to end the speculation and pen a three-and-a-half-year deal with Aitor Karanka's promotion chasing side.
"When I found out an offer was being made, and that a bid had been accepted, then I was really looking forward to the challenge of coming to Middlesbrough," he said.
Hounslow Sport 
Adam Forshaw
"I loved my two years at Brentford. We got promoted and when I found out that Wigan wanted me, I was over the moon. I believed it was going to be a great move, something that would be good for my career.
“Unfortunately, it proved not to be. It was a tough five or six months and, like I said, when this chance arose I grabbed it with both hands.
“We were having a bad time on the pitch. There were some great players there and a lot of people say they can’t understand why they are in that position. It’s hard to put your finger on it.
“Putting that to one side, I’m now a Middlesbrough player and I’m relishing the challenge here.
"First and foremost, I know how big a club this is.
“They’ve got lovely facilities at the training ground and I believe the stadium is really nice, too. They are a well-known club in England and they are going in the right direction.
"They have a good manager and an excellent set of players.
“Watching from afar, the style of play is really encouraging. That excites you. I’m a midfielder that likes to play football so to be coming into a team like this is really exciting.”
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