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Adama Traore has been swapped from one flank to the other halfway through the last two Premier League games so Aitor Karanka can keep a close eye on him.

The flanker has shown signs of real tactical improvement in recent weeks and has played the full 90 minutes of home games against West Brom and West Ham.

But in both games the head coach opted to move Traore from the right flank to the left at half-time so the 21-year-old is always in earshot of the boss.

Karanka has made no secret of the fact Traore needs to become more tactically aware and the Spaniard is pleased with the ex-Barcelona man's rapid rate of improvement.

It's been evident in the two recent home league games that Traore is adding a much-improved final ball to his devastating, weaving runs and Karanka, who can often be seen bellowing out instructions, says the rapid wideman can go on to become a "great player".

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Though he does believe Traore knows more about the tactical side of the game than he sometimes lets on.

"Yes, it (his final ball) has improved, especially when he's next to me on my wing," said Karanka.

"I hope one day he can play alone but at the minute he needs guidance. But he needs less than he needed a month ago.

"He's learning, he's intelligent - sometimes he tries to fool me - but he's intelligent and he will be a really good player."

"Sometimes he transmits to me that he doesn't understand where he needs to be on the pitch when we don't have the ball, but I know he does."

Karanka has worked closely with Traore since the youngster made the move north from Aston Villa in the summer transfer window.

The head coach takes time every week to sit down with the wideman, closely examining the finer details of his performances. And it's clear the close tutelage is having an impact.

Karanka added: "He needs to learn, he needs to be always be living the game.

"He's learning a lot, especially without the ball but with the ball he's improving as well.

"In the first game he took the ball and it was just for him but now he's linking more with the players and is more involved in the games.

"But he has to keep going as he can be a great player."