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Aitor Karanka wants Seb Hines to get plenty of first team football under his belt during his American loan spell.

The Boro defender is in the process of finalising a move to Orlando City, a club that plays in the MLS, a league Karanka knows well from his time with Colorado Rapids.

Hines has made only five first team appearances for his parent club this season and those were all back in August.

Since then he’s spent time on loan with with Coventry, making another nine appearances.

Hines’ career development has been hampered by a succession of injuries. He will be 27 in May and needs to prove he can play first team football week-in, week-out.

Karanka hopes the talented defender thrives in the MLS.

“He needs to play games and I think it is a good place for him,” he said, “another experience he can learn from. I know the league and it’s improving a lot and I think it is good for him.”

Hines, a former England youth international, has an American father and could yet represent the USA national team.