Barrow defender Mike Pearson has revealed how Middlesbrough's players came together to help him last season.

The Barrow defender broke his right leg in two places in last season's third round tie at the Riverside.

But having received a card from Gareth Southgate and Stewart Downing's shirt, he got a call from then Boro coach Malcolm Crosby asking to meet at an M6 service station where he was handed a bundle of cash made up of £50 donations from Boro's players.

"The Middlesbrough lads had all put in, and with me not working that really helped a lot,"' said Pearson, who came up through the Welsh junior international ranks with the likes of Joe Ledley and Chris Gunter.

"When I met with Malcolm Crosby I was still on crutches and just about able to drive. He said he wanted to wish me the best with my recovery. I didn't expect anything but to get it was a really nice gesture.

"I broke my tibia and fibula and even though it put a downer on the occasion, playing at Middlesbrough was still one of the highlights of my career."