Middlesbrough striker Britt Assombalonga has praised the ability of teammate Ste Walker after the 18-year-old was named among the Boro substitutes for the fourth time this season on Saturday.

Walker has been involved in Jonathan Woodgate's first-team plans since the start of the season, and he made his league debut for the club when he came off the bench against Blackburn in mid-August.

The striker gained senior experience during a loan spell with promotion-winning League One side MK Dons during the second half of last season, and it appears this spell put him in good stead to impress Woodgate this term.

Teesside Live have reported that the Boro boss has made Walker well aware that he features prominently in his plans at the Riverside Stadium, while Assombalonga has also now spoken highly of the young talent.

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"He's a good player, I like him," Assombalonga told Teesside Live.

"He's a really good player. He's got a long way to go but he's one for the future. I like the way he glides with the ball, little shimmies, he's good technically and he's a good lad as well."

Assombalonga scored his third goal in six league appearances this season when he fired home during Boro's 2-2 draw away to Bristol City on Saturday.

The verdict

This will come as a huge confidence boost to Walker who will be working with Assombalonga everyday, while looking up to to the established Championship striker as a role model.

Walker is in and around the Middlesbrough side at the perfect time, as Woodgate is looking to promote youth and blood young academy talent into the first team with regularity.

The fact Walker has already made his debut for the club this season will tell him everything about how highly Woodgate rates him, and I can see him playing a big role at the club by the second half of the season.

It is important that Assombalonga and Walker continue to build a strong bond, as Walker will be able to learn from Assombalonga's experience to benefit Boro in the long term.