Middlesbrough Football Club News

• Nickname:Boro
• Founded:1876
• Manager:Tony Mowbray

• Ground:Riverside Stadium
• Capacity:35,049

Boro mate defends Downing

12 Oct 2006 - 13:21:57

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Middlesbrough youngster James Morrison has defended team-mate Stewart Downing over criticism about his recent performances on the international stage.

Twenty-two-year-old Downing was left out of the England team which lost 2-0 away to Croatia on Wednesday evening, but Morrison is backing his colleague to get back into the starting eleven very soon.

He told Boro's official club website: "I have played with him for a long time and seen what he can do, so I have no doubts about Stewart Downing.

"I do not think there is anybody better than him down the left-hand side at the moment, I cannot think of anyone.

"There are a lot bigger names than him in the team who are not doing so well. Stewart is tough enough to block it out of his head.

"Against Greece he laid on four goals and yet they are saying he does not go past a man. I just do not know where they are coming from."