Middlesbrough midfielder Adam Clayton was delighted for Alvaro Negredo after his goals in their draw at Leicester City.

Clayton insisted Negredo was not to blame for his 11-game goalless run as Leicester star Danny Simpson backed a misfiring Jamie Vardy to come good.

“I'm not sure Messi would have got many goals playing up front for us in the games we've played," said Clayton.

“Alvaro's not had many chances – we've played the best teams in the league and been limited to very few chances.

“But he's had two chances now and put them in the net, so hopefully that can get him up and running and starting to score a few more.

“He never stops working. He's a big battering ram of a player. He's a big character in the dressing room and he's good to have around and now he's on the scoring trail.

“Of course we've felt for him. We've played some tough teams and we've had to concede the ball to teams like Manchester City and Arsenal.

“He's been quite isolated in those games but hopefully now we can play a few games where we've got more of the ball and get him a few chances."