MIDDLESBROUGH'S Northern Ireland midfielder George Saville is looking forward to the new UEFA Nations League and the opportunity of another route into Euro 2020.

Michael O'Neill's team will begin the new competition with Saturday's match against Bosnia & Herzegovina in Belfast, and Saville is happy to be playing fewer friendlies.

"I think it's a good idea, it takes friendlies away and you have more games that mean something," said Saville.

"If you don't qualify for the Euros in the normal way you still have a backdoor route, so that's good for the smaller nations.

"It's good if every time you come away and have a camp you're playing for something. That's better than just turning out for friendlies. Obviously you want to win friendlies but there is an edge taken off."

Saville has joined up with Northern Ireland after a whirlwind few days which saw him seal a move from Millwall to Boro in the final hours of the transfer window.

While technically a loan for now, the move will become permanent in January with the £8million fee the biggest for a Northern Irish player.

The move is reward for years of hard work from Saville, who bounced around clubs early in his career as the Chelsea youth product fought for a chance.

He has now grasped his moment both at club level and with Northern Ireland, having made his international debut late in 2017.

"In football things happen really quickly," he said. "You could go 18 months to two years ago not playing to now being at Middlesbrough and an international footballer.

"You see the likes of Harry Maguire in the summer. There are loads of examples. Football changes quickly. For me it is about progressing and so far so good."

Saville is still in the early days of his Northern Ireland career, having earned five caps, but is certain the call-ups have helped him at club level.

"Being on the international stage can only help you," he said. "It won't do you any harm and obviously the nation has been on a fantastic run in the last couple of years.

"For me it is brilliant to be part of that and helped me individually as well.

"Being in a different environment you are not in your comfort zone like in club football and I feel I have progressed as a player and off the field too."

The move to Middlesbrough will see Saville play for Tony Pulis, and he has already spoken to the likes of Gareth McAuley and Jonny Evans about what to expect under his new manager.

"The style of play is not like the fantastic football Manchester City will play but he is effective and he knows how to win football matches and in the Championship," he said.

"That's what it is about and getting out of the league. Tony knows how to win football matches and that's all I care about."