Downing cheered by Woody return
STEWART DOWNING is no longer down in the dumps – and brotherin-law Jonathan Woodgate’s return to Middlesbrough has helped to lift his mood.
Caretaker manager Steve Agnew has revealed the transformation in playmaker Downing, who was left out of the first-team squad by former boss Aitor Karanka.
That triggered a furious training ground bust-up and spelled the beginning of the end for Karanka.
Agnew, who was Karanka’s No 2 on Teesside, restored Downing to Boro’s starting line-up in his first game in charge – the 3-1 home defeat by Manchester United – after the Spaniard’s exit.
And Agnew insists Downing, 32, will be “vital’’ in today’s relegation battle with Swansea at the Liberty Stadium, where former Boro centre-back Woodgate will be in the dug-out as newly-appointed first-team coach.
Agnew said: “Stewart’s left foot, with his movement and ability to go past people, is something everyone has seen for years.
“He’s a player the rest of the group look up to. He can be vital towards a top performance at Swansea.
“He feels confident – and a confident Stewart Downing is a quality player. I think he just felt his performances might not have been as consistent as he wanted.
“But I see Stewart on the training ground, enjoying his football and looking forward to this game.’’
Agnew hailed the impact of Woodgate, 37. He said: “Woody coming back helps, not just Stewart, but all the players.
“He was a well-respected footballer and now he’s become, very quickly, a well-respected coach.
“Jonathan will grow as a coach. I’m sure he’ll go on to have a long, successful coaching career and go into management.’’
Agnew also reckons centre-back Ben Gibson, 24 and called into the England squad for the first time for the World Cup qualifier with Lithuania a week ago, will learn from Woodgate.
He said: “Jonathan played here with Ben and he’s helped him. Even last season, he did video clips with him one-to-one, so Ben is delighted.’’