Digard set to for first Prem start

Didier Digard is set for his first Premier League start for Middlesbrough at Portsmouth next week as Mohamed Shawky is injured.

The 22-year-old £4million summer signing from Paris Saint Germain has been restricted to substitute appearances so far, although he did start in the 5-1 Carling Cup win against Yeovil Town last month. However with Egyptian midfielder Shawky picking up a groin injury on international duty, Boro coach Steve Agnew feels Digard will be now more than capable of stepping into his shoes at Fratton Park next Saturday.

He told the Evening Gazette: "Didier had a bad injury last year and he was out for five months. It was important for him to have a good pre-season and to be fair it was a tough one for him. But he worked very hard to play catch up.

"We have had to be careful not to try to rush him too quickly, but he's coming up to speed."

Agnew added: "One of the things we have to be mindful of is that the game in France is slower than it is in England, and Didier needs time to get used to it.

"But we have been able to increase the minutes he has had on the pitch and it's pleasing to see that all the work he has been doing on the training ground is starting to shine through.

"Obviously Didier would love to start a game. The one thing players don't have is patience.

"But that's something that we as coaches have to work on and Didier will come into the team when he is ready, and I'm sure that we will have a very good player on our hands."