THE door of head coach Jonathan Woodgate has been approached a few times already this season by Marcus Tavernier. Having finally managed to knock it down, the promising Middlesbrough star does not intend to give his place up lightly.

Despite a summer in which he was heavily linked with Bayer Leverkusen and Liverpool, among others, the 20-year-old has had to wait patiently for a chance to shine under Woodgate. Now his decent performance against Preston North End on Tuesday night will have dictated that he stays in team for Friday night’s trip to Birmingham.

Given Middlesbrough are looking for a lift from somewhere having won just twice in ten matches under Woodgate, Tavernier could well provide the option in the final third that is required.

He found himself on the right against Preston and that is likely to be where he stays at St Andrew’s.

“I like to get forward that is what we work on in training. We know we want to move forward and for me to help them as much as I can up there,” said Tavernier. “I would say centre-midfield is my best position, but I know the manager likes me on the wing as well, to come inside and go into the pockets. I am happy wherever I am asked to play.

“The manager has said he believes in me so much. He has told me to go out and play my normal game, not to worry about anything in particular, and prove my point. That is my aim.

“I have always wanted to be a Middlesbrough player since I joined, this is a big step for me this year and hopefully I can play as many games as possible and move this club higher up.”

Woodgate and his predecessor Tony Pulis, who was the one to give him a chance, have spoken regularly about the potential of Tavernier and how he is seen as part of the long term future of Middlesbrough.

Yet Woodgate, keen to give more youth its chance having been part of Leeds’ successful production line as a teenager, has not wanted to rush him too soon and he will still tread carefully to avoid placing too much pressure on his young shoulders. He clearly values him highly.

“Tav can play a number of positions, it’s a talent when they can play in a number of positions and I won’t be pigeon-holing him in a certain way,” said Woodgate. “It’s exceptional for Tav that he can be a clever player like that.

“When Tav played for England (Under-19s and 20s) he played as one of two holding midfielders and he was captain. He is an intelligent footballer. He has knuckled down, grafted. He finds himself in the team now and he has to stay there."

Even though Tavernier would like to think he will command a central midfield role at some point, he has shown over the last 18 months he is capable of finding the net which is why he has often been used out wide.

The appointment of Robbie Keane as Woodgate’s No 2 has led to the Irishman taking Tavernier to one side along with some of the other forwards to enable them to draw on his experience as one of the Premier League’s most potent strikers.

“Every player wants to play every single minute, it was a big chance for me. I know the manager believes in me and has faith in me. That was a chance I wanted to take to stay in the team," said Tavernier.

“I should have scored that night. I will look back on that chance when the goalkeeper (Declan Rudd) saved it with Keano to see how I can score more. He is a great mentor to have, you have seen what level he has played at so to have him here every day is magnificent. He scored goals from all sorts of positions at the highest level. He knows what to do. Keano has taken forward players over to work with him, we are all trying to improve.”