GARRY MONK has told emerging teenage talent Marcus Tavernier to keep his mind on building on his excellent start to life in Middlesbrough’s first team after increased attention from the Premier League.

Arsenal and Everton are known to have sent scouts to watch him in action for club and country, having proven he can handle the step up to the Championship.

Bournemouth and Aston Villa, two clubs he impressed against in the EFL Cup this season, are also interested.

Tavernier was part of the Middlesbrough team that lost at Leeds United on Sunday and Monk will weigh up whether tomorrow night’s visit of Birmingham is the right time to give him a breather after a run in the first team.

But the 18-year-old was an important player in the three-match winning run against Reading, Hull and Sunderland. He also earned three caps for the England Under-19s during the international break.

Monk said: “Speculation goes with everything. We don’t focus on any of that. The players understand that and they are focused on what they need to.

“Even young players like Tavernier understand that, he has to stay focused on his job at Middlesbrough.

“We are pleased with Tav, he has come in as young player, fighting for a start and he has shown that with his performances and why I have picked him for those games.

“His job is to focus on maintaining that. And he is. There is no danger of anyone worrying about speculation.”

Tavernier’s contract expires at the end of this season but Boro can exercise an option for a further year whenever they want. It would be no surprise either if the product of the club’s academy system was handed improved terms sooner rather later too.

Monk has been delighted with his progress and performances down the flank, although Tavernier did find it harder at Elland Road. He had clearly been targeted having hit the winner against Sunderland in his previous outing.

Boro can call on right-back Cyrus Christie again when Birmingham arrive at the Riverside after he missed the trip to Elland Road through suspension.

It has emerged that Republic of Ireland defender Christie suffered racial abuse after last Tuesday’s World Cup play-off defeat to Denmark in Dublin. The FAI has confirmed it has referred the matter to the police.

Christie’s teammate, James McClean, the former Sunderland winger, revealed there had been a tweet at Saturday evening’s PFAI awards in Dublin.

McClean said Christie had shown the message to other players in the dressing room at the Aviva Stadium.

“We spoke afterwards and it really got to a few players,” said McClean in an interview on stage. “Everybody watched the game and it was poor, we know that.

“But some of the comments afterwards, which my Instagram post was about, went beyond football. One player in particular was told to go and play for Jamaica. Make of that what you want.

“It really upset him. My comments weren’t based on football, they were more personal. That’s for a player who has been a good servant to his country and it cut deep. That player was in tears, by the way. You’ve just missed out on the World Cup and then to have that ... ”

Leeds face possible disciplinary action from the Football Association after objects were thrown from the terraces during Sunday's game.

Missiles were thrown in the direction of a linesman by Leeds fans after referee Keith Stroud's controversial decision to award Boro a second-half penalty and the FA have launched an investigation.

The FA will be asking the West Yorkshire club for their observations.