Turkish minister: ‘We will drive Israeli soldiers out of Al-Aqsa with their shoes in their hands’

Turkish Minister for EU Affairs Volkan Bozkir expressed his anger and disapproval over the recent entry of Israeli troops to Al-Aqsa Mosque with their boots on.

“I want to direct my speech to the group of Israeli soldiers who entered Al-Aqsa with their shoes still on and say that if you do not leave Al-Aqsa as soon as possible, then we will force you out with your shoes in your hands and we will watch you as you walk away with your backs turned to us,” Bozkir added.

During his speech at a Justice and Development party conference in Burdur, Bozkir heavily criticised Israeli violations in Jerusalem as of late and the IDF’s decision to storm Al-Aqsa Mosque by saying that it is sacred to Turks as well as Arabs and other Muslims.

“Turkey has not allowed anyone to spoil the peace that we have achieved in Palestine to this day and we will not allow it from here on out,” he concluded.

Live: Breaking news, traffic and travel across Teesside

The Evening Gazette's live breaking news blog brings you regular updates, pictures, video, tweets and comments covering the latest Teesside and North Yorkshire traffic, travel, weather, crime and council news for today, Wednesday 12th November, 2014.

You can contribute to the live blog by posting your comment below, and you can also tweet us @EveningGazette to share breaking news stories, pictures and opinions.

Our Teesside breaking news live blog begins at 07:00am every weekday and is updated throughout the day and into the evening.

Israeli forces order the arrest of toddler in Jerusalem

Palestinian Jerusalemite Bassam Zeidani confirmed that Israeli forces stormed his Jerusalem home yesterday and ordered the arrest of his nephew Hamza Zeidani, a child who is only two years old.

Zeidani added that Israeli forces entered his home with a warrant for Hamza’s arrest and when they saw that he was a toddler they proceeded to arrest his uncle, Mohammad Zeidani.

The president of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club Fares Qaddura said: “The so-called Israeli security establishment suffers from a sense of blindness, paranoia and obsession with security when it comes to Jerusalem and this has escalated to the point where today forces ordered the arrest of a baby.”

Qaddura warned that the continuation of such policies would mean that the brutal occupation no longer differentiates between children and adults

Young gun Ben Houchen, 27, is the new leader of Stockton Conservatives

Stockton Conservatives have a new leader for the first time in nearly a decade.

Solicitor and Yarm councillor Ben Houchen, 27, takes over the reins from Councillor Ken Lupton who has announced he is to retire from local government at the next election.

Mr Lupton, 68, ward councillor for Hartburn, has served nearly 50 years in local government. He was elected as a ward councillor in 1999 and became leader of Stockton’s Tory group in 2005.

Two years later he became leader of Stockton Council until Labour took control at the last General Election.

He also put himself forward as a candidate for the Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner’s job in 2012, but came second to Labour’s Barry Coppinger.

He said: “I’m not standing for election next year. I thought it was appropriate to give the opportunity for whoever wanted to go for the leadership.

“I have stepped into the deputy leader’s role so I can show Ben the ropes and take him through the ins and outs before I go.

“I have every confidence in Ben, I think he is a very capable young man.”

His fellow Hartburn Conservative councillor Terry Laing has also announced he is to retire at the next election.

James Wharton, Conservative MP for Stockton South, said: “It has been a real pleasure to work with Ken Lupton, who served the people of Hartburn and our town so well. He has been an excellent group leader and I wish him well in retirement.

“Ben is a brilliant choice and will take the group forward as we head towards next year’s local elections.”

Former Conyers School pupil Ben Houchen represents Yarm and Kirklevington on Stockton Council. He stood in the Middlesbrough Parliamentary by-election in 2012 following the death of MP Stuart Bell and recently stood in the European Parliamentary elections.

He has worked for two Teesside law firms, in commercial litigation and employment law, since graduating in law at Northumbria University.

He told the Gazette: “It is an honour to have been selected as the leader of the Conservative Group on Stockton Council.

“I would like to thank Ken Lupton who has been an excellent leader of the group for a number of years now and I owe a lot to Ken for where I am today.

“I believe we have a strong team, which I hope to make stronger by further holding Stockton to account for their mistakes on things such as housing development, parking charges and increasing council tax at a time when residents are already feeling the negative effects of a Labour run council.”

Fellow Yarm councillor Mark Chatburn, who recently jumped ship from the Tories to UKIP, wished the new leader “the very best of luck in what will doubtless prove to be a torrid six months for local Conservatives”. Tory Yarm councillor Andrew Sherris said he would have preferred “to have someone with experience and a proven track record”.

Murder accused Craig Conway tells jury he never meant to kill his friend

A murder accused told a jury he never meant to kill his friend as he took to the stand at Teesside Crown Court.

Craig Conway, 30, is on trial accused of murdering Simon Bennett in the Greenway, in Thorntree.

He told the court he doesn’t know what he used to stab Mr Bennett, 29, and doesn’t know what happened to it after the fatal incident.

He told the jury he was full of regret after the stabbing.

He said: “I took another man’s life. Not only that, I took a friend’s life.”

Conway has admitted a charge of manslaughter but denies murder.

Conway told the jury that he had known Mr Bennett since he was about 12 or 13. He said he had grown up in Pallister Park while Mr Bennett was from Thorntree.

He said: “We were good friends. Pals, mates from local areas”.

Conway told the court that Mr Bennett had become angry with him about a remark he had made about a man called Micky Robbo who was in prison.

Conway said he had seen Mr Bennett and his friend Daniel Blenkinsop on the morning of the fatal stabbing and had told them he had heard Micky Robbo was claiming he had been “set up” and “someone had grassed him in”.

He said later that night, while Conway was at his home in Berwick Hills Avenue, he got a message from Mr Bennett accusing him of starting the rumour.

The pair argued on text and on the phone before meeting on the Greenway. Conway said Mr Bennett was running towards him.

He told the court: “I walked towards Simon. I had my hands out to the side and I said I didn’t want to fight.”

Conway said: “He was running towards me and his hands went up, his fists were ready. I had no choice but to fight back.”

He said Mr Bennett made the first punch. He said he threw some punches at Mr Bennett but didn’t know if they landed.

He said he fell to the ground and Mr Bennett was continuing to hit him in the back of the head.

He said: “I thought it wasn’t going to stop. I thought it was going to keep going.

“As I was down I picked something up and I swung as if throwing a punch. I didn’t know where I had hit him. I heard a pop sound. I knew then I had stabbed him.”

He told the court he does not know what the object he used was or what happened to it after the stabbing. He told police he dropped it on the grass after the attack.

He told Mr Blenksop’s friends to call an ambulance telling them “I’ve stabbed him”.

He then left the scene on a motorbike.

Asked why he left, he said: “It was all dead scary, it all happened too fast. I know if I stayed there something else was going to happen.”

He said he later cried and hoped he hadn’t killed Mr Bennett. When he was told he died, Conway handed himself in to Middlesbrough Police Station.

Asked how he felt after the death. He said: “I was gutted. Something so daft could come to this. We were friends.”

Proceeding.

Three Middlesbrough mums raise £1,500 by crocheting poppies

When three mums started crocheting poppies for their friends, they could never have imagined it would turn into a poppy frenzy.

Three months, 20 balls of wool and £1,500 in donations later, they are ready to do it all again next year.

Sisters Barbara Rumsey and Hilary Morley, and friend Toni Highfield, have spent every free minute since August with a hook in their hand after demand for their product went through the roof.

Barbara, from Linthorpe, works at the Middlesbrough branch of Marks and Spencer and started crocheting last year with colleague Toni, from Normanby.

At the time, they asked for donations from people but did not think to keep track of what they were raising.

This year, they decided once again to make poppies but never expected what came next.

Mum-of-two Barbara said: “I had my poppy on my blouse and a customer remarked how nice it was and asked me if she could buy one.

“The next thing we knew, a friend told a friend who told a friend, and before we knew it, everyone in the shop wanted one.

“People would leave orders in M&S for 10 or 20 at a time and one woman wanted mine off my blouse so much that in the end she donated £10 to have it.”

By September, demand was so high that Barbara asked her sister Hilary to come to the rescue.

Mum-of-two Hilary, 49, said: “I came to the rescue but we had to get quicker to keep up with the orders coming in.

“We have made about 1,000 poppies over the last three months and every single penny is going to the Royal British Legion.

“I haven’t even had time to cook for the last few weeks so my husband Ray has really helped out by making my dinner and bringing me cups of tea.”

Toni, 50, who has two children, added: “I have been crocheting in between looking after my dad who is in hospital, so it has been stressful at times,

“Next year we plan to start earlier so that we don’t get as stressed.”

Each mum has created their own individual pattern and have noticed that while men prefer the traditional poppy, women prefer the more modern look.

Next year the women plan to do it all over again and are currently discussing a new, original design.

Boosbeck attack victim Harry Campbell now in 'stable' condition in hospital

VIEW GALLERY

The victim of a “vicious” attack in East Cleveland is now in a ‘stable’ condition in hospital.

Harry Campbell, 66, was taken to Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital after being found with serious head injuries in his flat in Brookside, Boosbeck, on Saturday, October 25.

Police investigating the attack believe Mr Campbell’s yellow Ford Fiesta registration number NX13HBK may have been stolen.

Two local men aged 37 and 40 have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and have been bailed pending further inquiries.

Anyone who has any knowledge of the incident or where the car might be is asked to contact DI Matt Murphy-King on Cleveland Police’s non-emergency number 101 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Fewer than one in three fines imposed by Teesside courts are paid by end of financial year

Fewer than one third of all financial penalties imposed by courts in Teesside are paid by the end of the financial year.

Figures released by the Government showed that only 32% of so-called “financial impositions” imposed by the local criminal justice board in the financial year 2013/14 had been collected by start of the new financial year in April.

Some 60% were still outstanding, while the rest were cancelled.

“Financial impositions” include any financial penalties levied on a defendant - things like court fines, prosecution costs, victim surcharges and confiscation orders.

Only three areas - Cheshire (51%), North Yorkshire (51%) and Surrey (55%) managed to collect more than half of the financial impositions imposed in 2013/14 by the end of March.

The worst-performing area was South Yorkshire, which collected just 28%.

Home Office minister Michael Penning, who released the figures, said: “The government takes recovery and enforcement of financial impositions very seriously and remains committed to finding new ways to encourage payment of impositions, and to trace those who do not pay.

“That is why there has been a year-on-year increase in the amount of financial penalties collected in the last three years.”

Due to the way to Home Office accounts for fines, the figures include penalties imposed late in the financial year that were not due to be paid by end of the financial year. It also includes accounts being paid in agreed instalments.

Billingham Stars restore their pride as they recover to sting rivals

Billingham Stars director of coaching Terry Ward says his side got their pride back after finishing a chalk and cheese double header against Sutton Sting on a high note.

The Ultimate Window-sponsored Stars suffered a resounding 8-1 defeat at IceSheffield on Saturday but rebounded on Sunday night to claim a hard-fought 2-0 victory at Billingham Forum.

Saturday’s trip down the M1 could not have got off to a worse start for the visitors when former Sting forward Chris Sykes was ejected from the game after just 21 seconds, leaving the Stars to defend a five-minute major penalty.

Billingham defended deep and eventually succumbed with little over three minutes gone when James Spurr found Simon Offord free in front of James Flavell’s net.

The Sting doubled their lead through Spurr as they again capitalised on having the man advantage, and two goals in two minutes from Vjaleslavs Movko and James Goodman widened the gap to 4-0 before the 27-minute mark.

Just past the halfway point, Thomas Stuart-Dant finally got the visitors on the score sheet when he tipped in a rocket shot from Garry Dowd.

The Stars joy was short-lived as Nathaniel Rose fired straight through Flavell for 5-1 in the 34th minute.

Reece Cairney-Witter hit Sutton’s sixth when the puck bobbled unkindly in front of Flavell.

And the Billingham defence went missing when Mark Watson went in goal for the third period, allowing Rose to tap in his second of the game.

Spurr then made it a miserable journey home for the Stars, the final score being a reflection of an inadequate away performance.

The Stars needed a massive reaction on Sunday and from the first drop of the puck it was apparent that Billingham meant business

The home side tested Sutton netminder Dmitri Zimozdra with 15 shots, although it It took the Teessiders until the 24th minute to get the go-ahead goal.

Man-of-the-match Stuart-Dant converted a rebound from the tightest of angles into the Russian keeper’s top corner.

After some sustained Stars pressure, Scott Ward was set up beautifully by captain Paul Windridge in the 31st minute, and his superb finish increased Billingham’s lead.

Andy Munroe stung Zimozdra’s glove in the 45th minute, and further chances went begging at both ends.

Stars director of coaching Ward was pleased to see more passion and pride from his players after the manner of Saturday’s defeat.

“We changed the lines around like we said we would and we changed our whole outlook,” he said.

“We were at our worst on Saturday, possibly the worst we’ve ever been.

“We had to put a bit of pride and passion and a bit of aggression into Sunday and I think we did that. The passion was there, and it will be there for the rest of the year.”

Billingham take on EPL opposition in the British Challenge Cup on Sunday when they face Sheffield Steeldogs at the Forum (6.30pm).

Police helicopter called in to join search for 'men with firearm' at Kirkleatham Woods

Police carried a search of the Kirkleatham Woods area after receiving reports of men with a suspected firearm.

Cleveland Police received a report about men on a motorbike - possibly with the weapon - at around 11.30am today.

The police helicopter searched an area around Kirkleatham Woods in Redcar.

Ground units also took part in the search.

But officers were stood down after police were satisfied no one was in the area.

Yarm jeweller's raid: Car used in Market Cross armed robbery is found abandoned by police

VIEW GALLERY

A car believed to have been used in a raid on a Yarm jewellers was found abandoned at Yarm Cricket Club.

Detectives continue to investigate yesterday’s armed robbery at the Market Cross Jewellers on Yarm High Street.

Officers confirmed that four offenders entered the store just before 5pm and that they were armed with what are believed to be bladed or edged weapons.

However at this stage, police believe that there were no firearms involved.

Det Insp Mark Dimelow, of the Major Crime Team, said: “We know that the suspects left the scene in a silver coloured Audi A6 motor vehicle. This was found abandoned a short time later near to Yarm Cricket Club on Leven Road, Yarm.

“A dedicated team is making every effort to trace those responsible and we are following a number of leads.

“This was a brazen robbery at a busy time of day in a busy town high street. We know there were many people around at the time, both pedestrians and passing motorists.

“We have spoken to a number of witnesses already but would urge anyone who has not yet spoken to police and who saw anything suspicious in or around the High Street either in the hours before this took place or as the men left the scene to get in touch.”

Nobody was injured in the raid, in which suspects took a large number of high value watches and pieces of jewellery however shop staff were badly shocked by the incident.

Anyone with information can call Cleveland Police on 101 or alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Ex-champ Ian Horn: This could be my last ever rallycross meeting

Ian Horn from Stokesley will be back on track at Croft this weekend - but says it could be his last ever rallycross meeting.

The former BRDA and BTRDA national title winner quit the sport in 1997 when his twins were born, but returned to action in 2003.

However his most recent rallycross was last winter’s BTRDA 75th Anniversary Meeting at Croft and now he’s says his comeback, 12 months on, could also be his last hurrah.

Horn will line up at the wheel of his Vauxhall Nova GTE in a Red 5 Motorsport production class which also includes Ingleby Barwick’s Martin Peters (Citroen Saxo).

He’s been kicking his heels for most of the year because championship regulations meant his car was too old for one series and too new for another.

Now he says he’ll use this Sunday’s meeting at his local track to see if he still has the desire to keep competing in rallycross.

“This could be my last rallycross event,” revealed Horn, “I’ve lost heart in it, to be honest.

“I know it’s part and parcel of the sport, but in my last event there were a lot of drivers bumping into me.

“The sport isn’t what it used to be and a lot of the young kids seem to struggle to get round the corner.

“I find I’m getting more satisfaction out of rallying these days so maybe I’ll concentrate on that in the future. I don’t know.

“I’m going to do this meeting and then see how I feel. It’s an opportunity to see if I still have an appetite for rallycross.

“There’s another BTRDA meeting at Blyton at the end of the month but whether I do it or not depends on how this weekend goes.

“I’ve got someone who wants to buy my car so if I do decide to give up rallycross, I’ve got someone to buy it.”

Horn won’t be lost to motorsport though and says, whatever his decision, he intends to compete in the two traditonal winter single venue rallies at Croft, the Christmas Stages and the Jack Frost Stages.

And with a change of regulations allowing him to track his car at British Championship level again next year, he says he’d be up for an assualt on the title should he decide to continue in the sport.

Sunday’s event also sees action from the supercar, supermodified, Mini, BMW Mini and autocross car classes.

Kevin Procter (Fiesta Mk 7) and Andy Grant (Focus) are expected to be at the head of the supercar field but Barnard Castle’s ‘Mad’ Mark Watson is also fired up for a tilt at the trophy in his comeback meeting at his home track.

Watson has spent almost a full year off track rebuilding his Citroen Xsara.

During that time he’s picked up sponsorship from Mend-A-Hose of Castleford which will enable him to compete in the British Championship, European Challenge and World Championship rounds in 2015.

Tees Valley Mohawks get season back on track with two crucial wins

Tees Valley Mohawks’ season is back on track after two crucial wins.

Bryan Hockaday made an impressive debut as they won 86-76 away to Hemel Storm and continued his good form the following day in a 92-81 home victory over Bradford Dragons.

Though Storm scored first on Saturday, Romonn Nelson and Hockaday gave Mohawks a 7-2 lead and they remained in front for the rest of the match.

They led 24-16 at the end of the first quarter and although Simon Kearney and Walid Mumuni replied with some good baskets, Nelson and Lee McLaughlin hit some big three pointers.

Mohawks remained in control and though Hemel cut the gap to six points at one stage, great play from Hockaday and Charles Rhodes pushed the lead back up to 10 points.

“It was very important we got the win,” said coach Steve Butler. “We needed that confidence booster and now I’ve got my full squad together I really feel we can assert ourselves on this league now. Bryan, Charles and Romonn were fantastic.”

The following day Hockaday was again on the scoresheet early, along with Rob Donaldson while 6ft 10in Norwegian debutant Mattia Bradascio snuffed out the Dragons’ fire as Mohawks led 21-18 after the first quarter.

Good play from Richard Sulcs saw Bradford tie the game up at 38-38 going into the locker room but Mohawks controlled the third quarter, to lead 61-56.

Mohawks fell behind in a sloppy final session but Hockaday and Bradascio made the difference as the clock ran down and though Jason Swaine hit a three-pointer with just 5.1 seconds to go, Mohawks clinched it in overtime.

“We ground that win out,” admitted Butler. “Bradford are a very good team and I’m really pleased to get that victory as two weeks ago we would have folded.”

Watch: Company Manager tells how armed raiders made off with cash and jewellery from Yarm store

The Company Manager of Market Cross Jewellers has told how armed raiders made off with hundreds of thousands of pounds in cash and jewellery .

Dawn Welsh, who was not at the Yarm High Street store at the time, said: “They were wearing all black, with black gloves on.

“They came in and told everyone to get down. They had a gun and an axe.

“They smashed all the displays and they have taken loads of stuff including watches such as Omegas and Rolexes.”

Alongside the jewellery, the shop’s takings for the day were also taken.

VIEW GALLERY

Ms Welsh said her staff were left badly shaken.

She added: “One of the girls can’t speak and the gentleman who was thrown to the floor was already quite poorly.

“The staff all reacted as they were expected to - and they just let them get on with it.”

“We are going through the stock now. We don’t know the exact amount but it will be hundreds of thousands. I don’t even want to think about it.”

Detectives from Cleveland Police’s Major Crime Team are now investigating the incident .

Match preview: Boro U21s v Hartlepool United

Boro’s Under-21s are targeting a return to winning ways as they look to maintain their cup momentum against Hartlepool United this afternoon.

Eleven days will have felt like an eternity for Paul Jenkins’ young guns since they slipped to a last-gasp 2-1 defeat at Arsenal, bringing their eight-game unbeaten run to a disappointing end.

With another three weeks before their next Barclays Under-21 Premier League Second Division outing, Boro’s focus now turns to cup competitions in the coming weeks.

Tuesday's final Third Development League Cup clash at Rockliffe Park sees Group C North’s two unbeaten sides lock horns, with Boro having won their two games in the group stage against Hull City and Gateshead.

Meanwhile Pools saw off Gateshead in their only match in the competition so far - meaning a home win would see Boro seize control of the group.

In the previous two cup outings Jenkins has given some of his fringe stars a chance to impress, and facing a number of first-team absentees due to the upcoming international break, a number of changes are expected again from the Gunners setback.

Bryn Morris and Bradley Fewster will definitely miss out with the influential duo having joined up with England’s Under-19s, while in-form striker Callum Cooke - who has netted three goals in his last four games - is on England Under-18s duty.

Tom McAloon (knee) and Kieran Weledji (tendonitis) remain on the sidelines while right-back Bradley Halliday faces a late fitness test.

Luke Williams (Scunthorpe), Andy Halliday (Bradford) and Charlie Wyke (Hartlepool) are all out on loan, but returning Ryan Brobbel could make his first appearance in a Boro shirt this season having spent the last three months at Victoria Park.

Emmanuel Ledesma is also in contention, along with Junior Mondal, Scott McCarthy and Mark Kitching.

The cup clash kicks off at 1pm.

Possible Boro line-up: Fryer, B Halliday, Fry, Atkinson, Bennett, Brobbel, Tinkler, McCarthy, Mondal, Ledesma, Jones.

Single Acklam mum who fiddled £71,000 in benefits is told to get ready for prison

A single mum who fiddled thousands of pounds in Benefits for six years was told by a judge yesterday to get ready for prison.

The Crown said that Dawn Bryan, 41, from Middlesbrough, pocketed £71,000 from false claims for housing tax, jobseekers allowance and housing benefit between 2006 and 2012.

She admitted at Teesside Crown Court that she failed to declare that she had been living with a man and that she had made false declarations denying it.

She pleaded guilty to eight charges of failing to notify a change in her circumstances for Benefit between January 2006 and December 2012.

Her defence counsel Rachedl Dyson said that Bryan pleaded guilty on a basis that her partner moved out in January and not in December.

Judge Michael Taylor told Bryan: “In view of the amount of money involved here a prison sentence is probable.

“Go and sort your affairs out.”

Bryan, of Mandale Road, Acklam, was given extended bail for a pre-sentence report and she will be sentenced on December 9.

Pensioner left lying in rain for two hours waiting for ambulance is re-admitted to hospital

A great-grandmother who was left lying in the rain for two hours waiting for an ambulance has been re-admitted to hospital.

Evelyn Davey, 89, was left cold and in pain on the pavement after she slipped and fell outside the front door of a social club on Prescot Road, Ormesby.

She was eventually taken to Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital where she was treated for a broken arm.

However she was yesterday re-admitted to hospital after x-rays showed she also suffered a suspected broken hip as result of the fall.

The fall happened at about 12.30pm on Friday. An ambulance was asked to attend at 12.38pm however it failed to arrive until 2.40pm.

Mrs Davey’s son-in-law, Ray Porter, 61, said: “She was treated in hospital and had some tests done and then was brought home to rest.

“She has been recovering at home but we got a call from the hospital saying they wanted her to come back in as they believe she has broken her hip as well. They had reviewed the x-rays they had done.”

Ambulance chiefs blamed the service facing “high” demand at the time for the slow response.

After her fall, passers-by and club members tried to keep Mrs Davey as warm and dry as possible, placing blankets and umbrellas over her as she lay in agony.

At one point, helpers attempted to move her but they feared they would cause further harm as Mrs Davey was screaming.

Mr Porter said: “She has settled a bit now and is less upset and shaken by it all but I am still very angry.

“Everyone we speak to is disgusted about it.

“I understand the ambulance service has to prioritise callouts but she is 89-years-old. It is not something you expect to happen. She had an awful experience and she was badly injured as a result of the fall.”

Mr Porter said he plans to make a complaint to the North East Ambulance Service about the incident.

Ambulance responses are categorised between life-threatening “red” incidents, which crews should attend within eight minutes, or “green” incidents which should be reached between 20 minutes to an hour.

Aitor Karanka full of praise for Adam Reach as winger is named in Championship Team of the Week

The future is bright for Adam Reach, says Aitor Karanka.

The in-form Boro winger marked an impressive start to the season by penning a new four-and-a-half-year contract last week and was yesterday named in the Football League Championship Team of the Week.

It’s been a remarkable change in fortune for the 21-year-old, who only made two first team league appearances for the club last season, spending most of the campaign on loan with Shrewsbury and Bradford City.

Karanka has no doubts as to why Reach has been a regular presence in the Boro team this season.

“The key is now he is more mature,” he said. “Sometimes the player’s character permits them to play at 20 year old or 18 years old but other players like Reachy or Gibbo (Ben Gibson) have gone out on loan three or four times.

“It’s the most important thing that he now is more mature. As a player, when you are more mature, you are more confident.

“The manager, the club, and the staff, give you more confidence and you feel that confidence so it’s normal that you improve.”

Joining Reach in the team of the week were Darren Randolph (Birmingham), Andre Bikey (Charlton), Liam Cooper (Leeds), Nikolay Bodurov (Fulham), Jeff Hendrick (Derby), Lee Chung-Yong (Bolton), Kevin Bru (Ipswich), Britt Assombalonga (Nottingham Forest), Andre Grey (Brentford) and Johnny Russell (Derby).

Outlining the reasons for Reach’s inclusion, a Football League statement read: “Boro may have failed to secure three points against fellow high-flyers Bournemouth, but Reach came closest to scoring in the goalless draw by firing against the crossbar in the first half, in what was a solid performance.”

For his part, Karanka has been impressed by the winger’s work-rate and determination to improve.

“He is playing well and I’m sure that he can play better because he’s a very good player, a good lad and a good example for the Academy,” said the Boro boss.

“Now, he is more mature, he’s the kind of lad who always wants to learn, he listens to you, he listens to my assistants.

“On Thursday, he finished his recovery session and then stayed out on the pitch to watch the lads train so he’s the sort of lad who loves football, who always wants to learn and for this reason will have a very good future.”

Terry Cochrane will be the guest speaker at the next meeting of Middlesbrough Official Supporters’ Club on Monday in the Fenton Suite at the Riverside Stadium.

The former Boro, Burnley and Northern Ireland winger will be signing copies of his new autobiography See You at the Far Post.

The meeting starts at 7pm and new members can join on the night.