Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate admits Didier Digard needs to toughen up if he is to fulfill his potential in the Premiership.

"I've no concerns about Didier, the only thing he needs to learn is that the physical difference between the French and English leagues is considerable," said the Boro boss.

"In an ideal world you bring the likes of him and Marvin Emnes in and give them time to settle and develop and that's what we've been trying to do.

"We had to throw him into the games at Portsmouth and Sunderland, and he's been in more recently on merit, and shown some really good things. He's a quality footballer.

"Physically the full 90 minutes at this pace and tempo had, to begin with, found him out a little bit but if you look at most top players, like Thierry Henry or Dennis Bergkamp, it takes time.

"We've had it here in the past, last year with Tuncay (Sanli), and everybody knows what a great second half to the season he had.

"Unfortunately there's no short cut to it. Some might hit the ground running but there's so much involved with moving club, country and league that it takes time.

"But that's my only concern with him, everything else in terms of quality and how he and his family have settled in has been good, and he'll only get better."