foxsports
Thalassitis, 19, climbed off the bench to score Boro's consolation goal in their 4-1 Capital One Cup defeat by Southampton on Tuesday night.
Smith said: "At the moment we're very short of options up front and he's come into the frame and onto the field in certain moments that have made a difference.
"He's injected some energy, he's shown a real tenacity when he's joined the game, and I'm sure the goal has given him a confidence boost."
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