GARRY MONK will make Stewart Downing an integral part of his first-team squad after the winger remained at Middlesbrough beyond the end of the transfer window.

Downing was told he was free to seek alternative employment at the start of the summer, with the Boro hierarchy having been keen to reinvest his wages into other areas of the squad.

Birmingham City made a number of attempts to sign him, but the financial practicalities of the deal could not be agreed and Downing was reluctant to uproot from Middlesbrough, having spent so much time trying to engineer a move back to his hometown team.

Interest from the United States was rebuffed at an early stage, and the transfer window closed with Downing still on Boro’s books.

That scenario had looked likely for a couple of weeks, and having begun the process of reintegrating Downing back into the first-team squad, Monk has challenged the former England international to win back a place in the starting line-up.

The former England winger was a substitute in the Carabao Cup win over Scunthorpe United, and also came off the bench in the goalless draw with Preston that preceded the international break.

He is set to remain in the squad for Saturday’s trip to Bolton Wanderers, with Monk regarding his experience and Championship knowhow as potentially valuable assets.

Speaking before the transfer window closed, Monk said: “I’ve got a fantastic relationship with Stewy. What we spoke about in the past, I’ll keep that between the two of us. But I’ve always said that when you’re in the building and working every day, football can sometimes be a strange business.

“Every day you’re at a football club, you should be working and showing commitment because they pay your wages and you should be committed to that football club. That’s the key, no matter what your situation is. Stewy has been exactly that. He’s been committed and he’s worked hard.”

Downing never agitated for a move despite holding talks with Birmingham, and remains an influential member of the squad.

He faces plenty of competition in the wide positions though, with Monk having spent £2.5m on deadline day to sign left winger Marvin Johnson from Oxford United.