Rokas Pukstas did not feature for Middlesbrough on Wednesday night, but is backed to play a key role for the EFL Championship club this season. Pukstas is still in his early days in England after making a permanent move from Croatian side Hajduk Split earlier in the week. The Oklahoma native became the third American acquisition for Middlesbrough this summer, teaming up with Aidan Morris, Sebastian Berhalter, and Max Arfsten in Kim Hellberg’s squad. Middlesbrough lost key playmaker Hayden Hackney to Everton earlier this summer and have been tasked with trying to replace the talented midfielder in its push for promotion. After coming off of a career-best year at Hajduk Split, there is early expectations for Pukstas to deliver in a new league and with a new club.“Rokas can give us a lot of things,” said Hellberg following Middlesbrough’s 1-1 midweek draw with Burnley at Turf Moor. “He has played a lot of games, so physically he is more than ready to go. He’s good on the ball, he can drive the ball in tight spaces, he’s good at heading the ball, and he’s good at getting himself into the box and scoring goals.“It’s a good addition for us from a central position who can drive the ball with high pace and play a lot of games,” Hellberg added. Hackney registered six goals and seven assists for Middlesbrough last season, mainly featuring as a deep midfielder in Hellberg’s formation. While providing defensive help, Hackney enjoyed creating chances in the final third, even if it meant him starting deeper in his own half to do so.Pukstas thrived as an attacking midfielder for Hajduk Split, even seeing time at the No. 10 position. Where Hellberg decides to use him remains to be seen, but the Swedish head coach already sees a willingness to learn from his newest acquisition. “He is similar to Hayden, but maybe a little bit higher up on the pitch,” Pukstas said. “There are similar qualities in how mobile he is and good at driving the ball forward with a lot of pace.“It’s just Hayden did that from a lower starting position whereas Rokas wants to be higher up the pitch,” he added. He [Pukstas] wants to learn and he wants to develop, football is everything to him.”Pukstas could make his club debut as early as Saturday when Middlesbrough visits QPR on Saturday, but if not, he might get a start next week when Hellberg’s squad takes on Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup third round.