Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka has hailed Stewart Downing and described him as one the best players in the Championship, reports the Northern Echo.

Downing is excelling at Boro
Downing is excelling at Boro

Downing, a summer signing from Premier League side West Ham, has started to settle on Teesside and his 16th minute goal against Rotherham on Tuesday night made it 3 wins from 3.

It was his third goal of the season after previously finding the net against MK Dons and Wolves, but his performance just behind the striker on Tuesday was fantastic.

And his manager was quick to praise the former England international and has challenged him to perform like that in every game.

"I am really pleased with him. This is the player everyone was expecting to see and he knows how important he is for the team,” said the Spaniard.

“When he came here everyone was expecting his best and he is playing his best now and he is showing his character on the pitch, his performances in the last four games have been amazing so I am really pleased because when he came this is the level we have expected.

“This is the level he has set now. He knows how important he is for the team and everyone knows – not just our players - he is one of the best, if not the best, players in this league.

“I said in pre-season it would take time for him because it is not easy to play in the Premier League and for your national team and to come and play in the Championship and to settle in and be involved in these kind of games.

“I said it would be difficult and take time but fortunately now he is showing he is one of the best in the league.”

Downing was one of a number of big money signings made by Karanka as he looks to get Boro back in the Premier League, and it seems like the money paid for him has is working.

Boro currently sit fourth in the Sky Bet Championship after collecting 30 points from their opening league games, and they look on course to finish in the higher echelons of the division.

They travel to league leaders Hull City on Saturday as they look to take over The Tigers and replace them at the summit.

Middlesbrough fans......What do you make of Karanka'scomments? How does Downing compare to the other top Championship players? Let us know what you think in the comments below!