McDonald a hit at Middlesbrough

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1 November 2012-AAP

On target ... Middlesbrough's Scott McDonald (Getty Images)

Four goals in five matches have silenced Australia striker Scott McDonald's critics at English club Middlesbrough.

The Melbourne-born 29-year-old found the net against Sunderland in his most recent outing in midweek to take his side to the final eight of the Capital One Cup.

It's a boost for McDonald, who has been on the outer this season with Middlesbrough keen to move him and his high wages on.

"I'm pleased for Scott," manager Tony Mowbray, who has not been an advocate for the Australian, told The Times after the Sunderland win.

"The bottom line is that he needed to want to be part of our group, but he's bought into it and he's laughing and joking in training. Whatever walk of life you're in, you have to enjoy it and that's the position Scott is in now."

McDonald found the net in the 39th minute, with Sunderland failing to answer.

Coming off the bench for Middlesbrough in the Championship last weekend, the Australian scored twice to confirm victory over Bolton Wanderers.

Earlier in October, in his first outing for the club since April, McDonald scored a winning goal in the closing stages against Watford.