Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis has offered advice to youngster Nathan Wood, who has reportedly been attracting attention from Premier League giants Manchester United and Manchester City.
Wood is only 16 years of age and became Middlesbrough’s youngest ever player when he came on in the Carabao Cup against Notts County earlier this season. Since then he is yet to feature for his hometown club, but he could be one for the future, given his potential.
The central-defender’s ability was recognised by manager Tony Pulis in pre-season, selecting the teenager to travel with the squad to Germany. After impressing initially, he was on the bench for numerous fixtures at the start of the season, but he has since been restricted to youth fixtures and cup appearances.
“He has potential to be a very good player but that is still potential,” said Pulis, in an interview which appeared on GazetteLive.
“It’s the way he behaves now, the way he looks after himself, the way he dedicates himself to one thing and that is football.
“And he shouldn’t get carried away with anything else which is the big thing with youngsters today.
“He is a good lad who trains with us on a regular basis. He has to improve in certain areas, heading being one, and as a centre-half you will not play in the top league if you can’t head a ball, so there are areas he has to improve.”
Wood could be given an opportunity in the Carabao Cup once more next week, with Middlesbrough facing Burton Albion in the quarter-final at the Riverside.
