Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka has revealed clear-the-air talks with Stewart Downing.
Downing was unhappy after losing his place in Middlesbrough's starting line-up in the last three games.
Karanka said: “I had a good chat with my assistant and with Stewart because he wanted to know why he wasn't playing.
“I like that attitude – I don't want players, when they are not playing, complaining on the bench.
“We showed him images because, with the new analysis department, we can show him why he wasn't playing.
“The reason was he missed something tactically that he did, especially in the first few games this season, and he understood that.
“He's not been playing, but maybe he can play at Southampton today.
“I said after the first few games he was an important player for us because he's one of the few who has Premier League experience."