Source: PA
Players must be good enough - Mowbray
Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray has told the club's youngsters they will get their chance - but only if they are good enough.
Mowbray's predecessor Gordon Strachan did not rely as heavily on the Teessiders' own Academy graduates as Steve McClaren and Gareth Southgate had done before him.
But while current manager Mowbray will not play the local boys just for the sake of it, he is hopeful players will continue to emerge from the ranks to give him options.
Mowbray told the club's official website: "I'm a fan of good footballers.
"The local lads have a feel for the area and for the club, they know what the fans expect and understand the culture of the town.
"But you don't put people in just because they are from Middlesbrough. If a player from Timbuktu is better, then I will play him instead."
