Middlesbrough skipper Emanuel Pogatetz has been warned not to work too hard as he fights his way back from knee surgery.

The 26-year-old Austria international got 45 minutes under his belt for the reserves in their 4-0 win over Bradford on Tuesday, but came off at half-time with a tight hamstring.

Manager Gareth Southgate is desperate to have Pogatetz back at his disposal, but will not rush his recovery - and he has told his captain not to overdo it in his eagerness to return.

He said: "He is so motivated and so responsive to everything that's asked of him. He would never shy away from anything he's asked to do.

"In fact, there's more of a danger of him doing too much.

"Rehab goes through different phases, but a few weeks ago, he was coming in for an 8am run on his own, training with the team from 10.30am and then he would be in the gym in the afternoon."