Middlesbrough’s Richard Smallwood admits he must remain patient as he tries to claim himself a regular start at the Riverside.
The 21-year-old Redcar-born midfielder has already scored twice this season, including in the recent 4-1 victory at Charlton Athletic, but is still something of a periphery figure under manager Tony Mowbray.
“Ultimately, it’s not down to me,” Smallwood told the Northern Echo. “I can only play to the best of my ability and it’s the manager’s decision and you can’t have any arguments with that at the moment because we’re a point off the top of the league and the lads are doing pretty brilliant
“Obviously the club has proved it gives younger players a chance. I’ve had mine and I think I’ve taken it well,” he continued. “I’ve got myself into the first team squad and I’m around it all the time and it’s good to be around the squad when things are going as well as they are.”
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