Boss throws down gauntlet to Boro new boy

Gareth Southgate has urged new Middlesbrough midfielder Didier Digard to show his true potential in the Premier League this season.

The Boro boss snapped up the 22-year-old French starlet for £4million from Paris St Germain in June and has been pleased with his progress, as he looks to come to terms with life in England.

Following steady displays against York and then in the Algarve Cup ties with Celtic and Vitoria Guimaraes, Digard stood out in Tuesday's 2-1 friendly win at Carlisle in which he scored the winner with a superb 30-yard strike. Southgate wants him to step up on that performance so he is firing on all cylinders when Tottenham visit the Riverside on August 16 in the Premier League opener.

He said in the Gazette: "I was very pleased with Didier at Carlisle. We saw quality in his football and he showed he has the ability to keep possession under pressure. He is a thinking footballer in the way in which he can change his mind and his direction once one option is closed off to him.

"He can deal with potentially troublesome situations by turning out of them. He was a little more up to speed against Carlisle than he has been. It was more of what we were looking for from him.

"Didier is still adjusting to the pace of the game here, but this was a really encouraging performance from him.

"We are aware that he needs time to adjust to the Premier League but he is already taking strides forward and I'm sure he will keep it going.

"Once he is fully back into the swing then I'm sure he will show everybody what a good player he can be."