Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has reassured Holland international George Boateng that he still has a role to play at The Riverside.The Boro midfielder was an unused substitute for the FA Cup quarter-final disaster against Cardiff, but returned to the starting line-up against Villa and Arsenal last week and was outstanding as the club bounced back with two creditable draws away from home.

"If you look at the number of games he has played, he has probably played nearly as many as anybody in the midfield this year," said Southgate.

"It is just that at certain times, he has not been in the side and that unsettled him around Christmas time.

"But his response has been fantastic throughout, and particularly in the games last week, his performances were superb.

"We have always known what George is capable of, I have always said he has got a big part to play with us.

"I think he has found it difficult to be not in the team every single week, but sometimes when a player is getting slightly older, you have got to be a bit more selective in how you use them to get the best from them.

"George has spent most of this week recovering from the two games last week, but rightly so because what he gave to the team - and what he always gives to the team - was 100% commitment, and none of us ever question that.

"His contribution has been excellent."

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