Impressive Tavernier will want to

BORO’S new whizz-kid Marcus Tavernier will be desperate to play his part in his first ever North East derby. Certainly the 18-year-old has made a massive impact since breaking into the side last month. Boro have known for some time that Tavernier has a big career ahead of him if he keeps his feet on the ground and concentrates on his football development.

He’s impressed everybody from the moment he made his senior debut in the Carabao Cup win against Scunthorpe United in August.

Young lads sometimes struggle to make the best of their opportunities but Tavernier took his with both hands and has never looked back.

He has a natural teenager’s enthusiasm on the pitch, but it is allied to determination, a non- stop work-rate, oodles of talent and a complete lack of fear.

Marcus also showed that he is a competent finisher when grabbing his first senior goal in the Carabao Cup defeat at Bournemouth.

Tavernier started his career in exactly the same way as his elder brother, Ranger defender James Tavernier, because both were originally on Newcastle United’s books.

James played twice for Newcastle, but Marcus left Tyneside when he was 14 and switched to Boro’s Academy. He has developed steadily ever since.

It’s by no means certain that Marcus will start today’s game but surely he’s going to be a regular part of Monk’s senior squad for the rest of the season.

He’s already edged out senior players such as Stewart Downing and Marvin Johnson in slotting