WHEN Jonathan Woodgate quipped after the midweek goalless draw with Huddersfield Town that he had “slept well” knowing Aynsley Pears would be replacing Darren Randolph, he had the look of a man who meant his words.

It might only have been the 21-year-old’s first Championship start for Middlesbrough, but the man naming him in his team clearly felt he was ready for it.

His league debut was always going to come round after Woodgate had made him his preferred choice to play backup to Randolph, even though he re-signed Tomas Mejias in the summer.

Pears is someone the head coach knows all about, having worked with him at academy level and enjoyed a good relationship with the young player’s father, Stephen, who Woodgate used to watch lay in goal as a youngster during his playing career at Ayresome Park.

Now the younger Pears has lift-off too. When Randolph returns from his muscle injury in a few weeks’ time, the Republic of Ireland international will be back in goal – and quite rightly given his reputation as, arguably, the best goalkeeper outside the Premier League.

By the time that comes around Pears is likely to have started three more games against Fulham, Derby County and Queens Park Ranger. If he carries on in the manner which helped secure a clean sheet at Huddersfield in midweek then he will remain firmly in the manager’s thoughts going forward.

“There were a few (nervy) early kicks on Wednesday night but if I worry about those there’s something wrong, it’s only a few kicks,” said Pears. “I’m sure they will be fine on Saturday because that was my first appearance for months. My goalkeeping was good, my handling was too, it was just a couple of kicks.

“I haven’t played a game since I played against Crewe in the Carabao Cup. It’s hard when you are not playing because you become a training goalie which I don’t like, it’s nice to have got this start.

“I had a couple of good saves, a scoop to carry out, I had a free-kick covered in the second half as well. The last ten minutes we were under the cosh at Huddersfield without any pressure on the go. We ended up settling down, we should have won.”

Pears delivered a convincing display. After those early moments which were understandable, he commanded his box and his confidence rubbed off on the players in front of him. The fans who must have felt the blow when Randolph was ruled out were left impressed.

The Durham-born goalkeeper is very highly-rated and since pre-season, shining while Randolph was missing, he has placed himself firmly in Woodgate’s thoughts. He is certainly receiving great advice at home, where Stephen has not only played at the top level he has nurtured the likes of Ross Turnbull and Jason Steele through the ranks at Middlesbrough.

Pears may not have had the experience of playing in the Championship before Wednesday, but he has had loan stints that have developed his game. He had a 16-match spell with Darlington in National League North before picking up the player of the year awards at Gateshead in the National League last season.

“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t play for Darlington for those 16 games,” said Pears, who Boro fans recall looking strong at Salford in pre-season with his shot-stopping and distribution. “They made me. Last year playing with men in the National League is tough. I would give any advice for any young keeper to do that. You don’t get here without doing those things.

“I have a long way to go and I will keep doing my best. I haven’t played many games. I just have to keep trying to improve. I will never be too high or too low. I just want to stay in the team.

“When you go to Darlington in the National League North, the Championship feels a million miles away. It’s not. It’s just an injury, a knock, I played 60 games in non league football and that is the best thing I have ever done. You don’t think you will play for Middlesbrough when things aren’t going well, I am just lucky it has happened and I want more.”

Pears will be excited to make his home league debut for Middlesbrough this afternoon, with the pressure on to deliver three points against Fulham knowing the threat of falling into the relegation zone looms large.

He could have been somewhere else than Middlesbrough, but now his chance has arrived the young man from Durham is determined to build on it with any help he requires from his dad.

“I was due to sign for Macclesfield in the summer, I was at the ground, but then Darren went down with his quad and I had to head back,” said Pears.

“It was luckily enough for me, unfortunate for him. That’s how it has happened again now. Everything happens for whatever reason. I have watched hundreds of games, it’s hard to take it in when you are in the moment. But its special to me.

“My dad is pretty chilled about it all. He has told me to enjoy it, he says ‘you are good enough and relax’, and he’s told me I will be alright if I do those things. He said that when I play I have to remember that it is just another game, whatever level.

“We don’t talk about football very much. I am a thinker so when I do go and speak with him he will be right, whether I like it or not. I have to listen. He is good when I need him. I have so many memories with my brother and dad in the garden, so to have him watching tonight is important to me.”