Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate believes defender Emanuel Pogatetz has lifted his game after being handed the captain's armband.

Southgate said: "Emanuel coming back from injury away at Bolton was an important part of the season for us.

"His will to win, his desire and his general attitude and leadership has always been important, and I think wearing the armband for the last few weeks has given him the confidence to say things he feels are important.

"Players like George Boateng play the game the same way whether they are captain or not. With Manny he probably needed the confidence of wearing the armband to say certain things.

"You need five or six leaders in your team and we are certainly starting to get more people to step forward into those roles."