Middlesbrough management are confident the academy production line will continue.

First team regulars Brad Jones, David Wheater, Andrew Taylor, Matthew Bates, Adam Johnson and Stewart Downing are among the club's current senior professionals who have been developed by the Boro Academy.

Boro coach Steve Agnew said: "I think our Academy is as strong as ever, and that is important because we need to keep producing players.

"We are bringing them through all the time. Josh Walker is one who springs to mind this season who has come in and earned himself a place in the squad.

"There are more to follow. For example we have Joe Bennett who has made a lot of progress this season.

"He has been on the bench on a few occasions and has every chance.

"There's others, like goalkeeper Jason Steele, who is a regular England international and can develop into a good pro.

"Like all young players, the ones who are pushing through still need to develop a bit of growth in the body to reach full effectiveness.

"But we have high hopes for a lot of the youngsters and they will take heart from what others, like Rhys Williams, have achieved."