TONY MOWBRAY has been impressed with Dean Whitehead and Jozsef Varga’s contributions ahead of Middlesbrough’s opening pre-season friendly in Portugal this evening.

Boro will take on Portuguese second division side SC Farense in the Municipal Stadium on the Algarve after a proposed game against fellow Championship side Yeovil Town fell through.

Whitehead and Varga are both expected to be involved after joining the Teessiders this summer, with Mowbray having been delighted at the ease with which both newcomers have settled into their new surrounds.

Whitehead is set to form a midfield partnership with Grant Leadbitter next season, having previously played alongside his new team-mate in a Sunderland shirt.

“You can see the experience Dean has,” said Mowbray. “We’ve seen in the sessions we’ve had so far how he breaks the play up and tries to start an attack.

“He’s only in his second week and he has to do a little bit more catching up. Yet his experience and knowledge will help us.”

Varga joined Middlesbrough from Debrecen, and while the Hungary international is still coming to terms with his new manager’s Teesside accent, he has already provided proof of his ability.

“I wouldn’t expect Joszef to totally understand everything you say from day one,” said Mowbray. “When I’m in coaching mode, I’m speaking in my broad North-East accent.

“Sometimes you stop the session and show him. At the moment, he has a tendency to chase the ball because he’s so fast across the ground. Good players will play around the hole he leaves, so we’ll have to try to get him to be more disciplined.

“But he’s fast and physical and hopefully he will be ready by the start of August. He has huge quads and he uses them to push away and get across the ground so quickly.”

Jonathan Woodgate is not expected to feature in tonight’s game as he has been training separately from the rest of the squad after damaging his groin at the end of last week.

Luke Williams did not travel to Portugal as he injured his knee in training prior to the rest of the squad flying out of the North-East.

* In a new initiative, qualifying season-card holders will be entitled to a free drink at all league matches next season.

The following rules will be in place:

Vouchers can be redeemed at concourse kiosks before kick-off and at full-time

Vouchers cannot be redeemed at half-time or during the match Vouchers are individually identified by specific game numbers or letters, and are redeemable against the corresponding fixture

Each voucher can be redeemed against any one standard hot or cold (soft or alcoholic) drink

No replacement will be issued for any lost, damaged or destroyed booklets or vouchers

Qualifying season-card holders can collect their booklets from Monday, July 15 from the Riverside Stadium main ticket office (Mon-Fri 9.30-5pm, Sat 9.30am-12)