Middlesbrough management are upbeat over defender Matthew Bates' return from knee injury.
"I've been talking to (Boro physio) Grant Downie and he's very pleased with Matthew's progress and very optimistic about his future," said Academy director Dave Parnaby, who has overseen Bates' development from teen to top-flight starlet.
"He's got all the attributes, he's tough and quick and he's strong mentality."
Parnaby also told the Sunday Sun: "He's been at a sports rehab centre in France, it's out in the wilds and has done him the world of good.
"With such a long-term injury it can be agonising doing your rehab in the same place every day, every week. You get impatient and it's tempting to get ahead of yourself, you want to push yourself on.
"In France he was away from all that, all his team-mates, in a controlled environment. Everything was under scrutiny, it's a really healthy place to recuperate.
"It's been a real long haul for Matthew, he's been so unlucky with injuries. He's a popular lad here and well respected in all quarters.
"It's unfortunate what's happened to him. He's had three serious injuries but he's a strong personality and he will bounce back."
