Hero Djed hailed by Boro boss Woodgate

MIDDLESBROUGH manager Jonathan Woodgate wants rising star Djed Spence to continue his progression as his side take on leaders West Brom.

Spence has forced his way into Woodgate’s first-team plans and scored the only goal as Boro beat Huddersfield.

Now Woodgate wants his latest academy star, one of five on show against Huddersfield, to become even more of a first-team fixture.

Woodgate said: “When you get opportunities you’ve got to take them, and Djed has done that. His future was maybe a little bit uncertain at the start of the season, but he won’t be going on loan in January now.

“You’ve got to be brave to do it. I could have put a left-sider on that side (instead of Spence at right wing-back), but you’ve got to be brave to make these decisions. I’ll always go with core values, and one of those is, ‘be brave in what you want to do’. I think that’s paying dividends.”

Marvin Johnson drove down the right in the opening five minutes, but while his cross fell for Hayden Coulson, the young full-back was unable to find the target with a drive that sailed over the bar. Huddersfield’s first chance came to nothing midway through the first half when Steve Mounie headed Karlan Grant’s corner wide.

Boro claimed the lead courtesy of one of the best passing moves of the game.

Marcus Tavernier released Ashley Fletcher into the box, he slid a low cross across the face of the area, and an unmarked Spence swooped to slot home his first senior goal. Jon Gorenc-Stankovic passed up a glorious chance of a leveller shortly before the hour mark. The defender was four yards out when he rose to meet Juninho Bacuna’s corner, but his header sailed over.

Steve Mounie then looked certain to score when Daniel Ayala and Jonny Howson both failed to cut out Elias Kachunga’s cross, but he rushed his shot and blazed over.

Cowley, whose side face Blackburn at home next, said: “It was a tight game. I felt they started well, but we came into it.

“I was disappointed to concede the goal when we did, and losing Jonathan Hogg (through injury) was a big blow after 20 minutes because he’s a talisman and a leader.”