Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate says David Wheater has been their big success story this season.

Southgate said: "There's no question he has been a real bonus for us. He had the spell (on loan) at Darlington last year, which did him the world of good.

"But there is a huge difference playing at that level and the level he has come into this season.

"He had a game at the end of last season at home to Fulham which was good experience for him, and really we had to throw him in through necessity at the start of the season.

"I say that - we had other options, but because his pre-season form had been good, he earned the right to have that chance.

"But we could not have expected him to flourish in the way he has.

"It was a real shot in the arm for all of us that he adapted so well."