Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate admits Julio Arca could be a future club captain.

The former Sunderland man has only just returned to the first team following medial ligament damage sustained in September, but he has made an impression captaining the side in George Boateng's absence.

The 26-year-old would now appear to be in pole position if to replace Boateng on a full-time basis if he did leave the club.

Southgate said: "I chose Julio at Portsmouth and the team did well there. I didn't have too many options to freshen things up (against Everton) so I kept with most of that team.

"He's certainly an excellent professional, it's important that he has everybody's respect and he did a very good job in those two games."