LEWIS WING’S ascent from standout Northern League player to Championship prospect continues and over the past week he has risen to his challenge after being handed his first league starts.

The 23-year-old joined Boro last year from Shildon, given an opportunity to make up for lost time having previously played in non-league for a number of North-East clubs.

After Boro took the plunge he spent last season on loan at Yeovil Town since when he has kicked on, culminating in playing in all three games so far this season.

He was a sub at Millwall a week ago, and helped change the game says team-mate Jonny Howson, and started the wins over Sheffield United and Birmingham City.

Boro have raked in around £40m by selling Patrick Bamford (Leeds), Ben Gibson (Burnley) and Adama Traore (Wolves), so their exit has provided an opportunity for Middlesbrough’s fringe players to make their mark.

“Whenever someone leaves it’s a chance for someone to step up and the lads that have come in have done terrifically well,” said Howson after Boro’s 1-0 win on Saturday.

“The one that stands out for me, even more so considering where he’s come from in the space of 18 months, is Lewis Wing.

“He has taken to it no problem at all, put in two terrific performances and when he came on at Millwall arguably changed the game a little but with Marcus Tavernier.

“Fair play to the lads that have come into the team.

“Plus, the manager had had pre-season with us, got his message across a little bit more, had a bit more time to know exactly what he’s wanting.”

As well as Shildon, also among the teams Wing has represented are Brandon, Newton Aycliffe and Seaham Red Star, plus he made two substitute appearances for Darlington in 2014.

“You see players that have come from non-league, Jamie Vardy is the obvious one and look what he’s gone on to do,” added Howson.

“He’s been terrific and we see his ability each day in training, and sometimes that can be different for some players when they’re in front of a crowd, it’s not bothered him one bit, he’s kept that quality so fair play to him.

“He’s a great lad as well, so you want him to do well and help him out.

“He went on loan to Yeovil last season and did well, now he’s here and is taking his chance.”

Howson, meanwhile is enjoying a very satisfactory start to the season, and was man of the match at the weekend.

He did not always live up the expectations in 2017-18 after joining from Norwich City for a fee of around £6m.

He said: “I’m working hard, giving everything I’ve got and doing what I can for the team. Sometimes you get those performances and sometimes you don’t, that’s part and parcel of football.”

He was on the receiving end of Craig Gardner’s crunching tackle that resulted in a red card for the Birmingham midfielder, but Howson bore his opponent no ill will.

He added: “I’ve played against Gardner a few times and I know he’s not that kind of player.

“I’ve gone for the ball, he’s probably mistimed it a bit, I’ve no problem with it.”