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Southgate backs O'Neil
Middlesbrough, 09:50, October 13, 2008 ,
Gareth Southgate has been quick to praise Gary O'Neil for his efforts and claims his energy brings something different to the side.
The Boro boss is likely to go with O'Neil alongside either Mohamed Shawky or Didier Digard for the visit of Chelsea at the weekend and Southgate has been impressed with the 25-year-old's form.
He told the Echo: "Two years before he joined us, he got six goals from the middle of midfield and captained the team there.
"It's probably where he prefers playing. We knew he did a fantastic job on the right-hand side, but he's happier and enjoys his football more in the middle.
"He likes the greater involvement and is a fantastic athlete. That energy in the middle of the park has given us something different that we haven't had for a while.
"He's somebody who can become more and more of a leader in the group. But at the moment he's been very, very good for us in the middle of midfield and I don't see him moving out of there in the immediate future."