DAEL FRY knows he is in good company when it comes to developing his talent at Middlesbrough, even if it means playing out of position on the right side of the defence.

Fry has proven himself to be perfectly suited to playing in the Championship and his progress suggests he will be destined for the Premier League in the not-too-distant future, he hopes with his hometown team.

Under manager Tony Pulis, a former defender, and coach Jonathan Woodgate, an ex-Real Madrid centre-back, he knows he has the experience to draw on to help him improve.

Fry has even performed well as a right-back in recent matches following Ryan Shotton’s injury and spent some of the game at Preston on Tuesday in midfield - even if he thinks he is more suited to playing a more central role, and that is testament to his character.

He said: “I just keep my head down, keep grafting. Whether it's centre-half, right-back or defensive midfield, I give it 110 per cent. I'm enjoying my football at the minute and I'm just buzzing to be playing. I think I'm definitely a centre-half.

“I went back out at right-back at the start of the second half and managed to get another assist. I put it in the area down the line, I knew Marcus Tavernier would chase it down the line, he's hungry. It was a bit of brilliance from him and a good finish.

“Whatever happens, the three points is the main thing. Whether I'm playing or not, I just care about the team. The manager has made that clear.

“I was coming in and out but I'm 21 now. I've still got a lot of time. There are times where I'm going to be dropping out and coming back in, I know that myself. But I know to not get down when I'm not in the team, to keep grafting.

“It's great to have the backing of the manager. When he says the team and I'm on the teamsheet ... I'm only 21 and he has other options there, it's a massive boost and it can only stand me in good stead for the future.”

Fry’s excellent performances this season have caught the eye of some big Premier League clubs. Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester United are just a few of those monitoring him.

The homegrown talent, born and bred on Teesside, is just enjoying playing for the club he supported as a child and where he has played since the age of eight, knowing Pulis and Woodgate can help him along the way.

“The manager will speak to you on the pitch,” said Fry. “Whether you're a young player or not, he'll pull you to one side and tell you what you can do better. For me, it's really good he puts the time in.

“There's Jonathan Woodgate as well who's always telling me to do this and that. To be around those people is amazing really.

“I think the more I play the more belief I'll get. The gaffer likes experience, I just need to get games under my belt. The more I keep performing and keeping clean sheets, stopping crosses and things like that, that'll stand me in good stead.”

He added: “I was at Middlesbrough from the age of seven and right through the Academy until now. There's a few good young lads coming through, obviously Lewis Wing and Marcus Tavernier. Even in cup games, the lads have done very well.

“I remember getting a season ticket with my dad in the north stand and watching Jonathan Woodgate. I remember him being so classy on the ball and his classy clearances.

“You always wish to play for Middlesbrough but when it happens you think 'god, what's happening here', but I'm enjoying it at the minute.

“Woody’s been at Real Madrid, he's been at Tottenham. He's had a great career and has all this experience so for me to pick his brains, I can only learn from him.”

Middlesbrough slipped down to third after failing to beat Preston on Tuesday, when Pulis admitted afterwards he made a mistake with the formation he started with.

Nevertheless they remain right in the mix ahead of Aston Villa’s visit on Saturday, bringing back memories of the play-off semi-final defeat over the two legs in May.

Fry, an England Under-21 international, said: “Villa have hit a bit of form. There's a pal of mine Tammy Abraham up top so I'll be telling Aden Flint all about him. It will be a tough game but with the momentum we've got we should be fine.”