'Unbelievable' Browne thriving at right back

KIM Hellberg praised Alan Browne’s “unbelievable character” as he joked the Middlesbrough star must have been a right-back in a past life.

- By CRAIG JOHNS

Alan Browne tackles Eric Bocat of Stoke City

(ZACHARY LOCKE)

The midfielder, who is spending the season on loan at Boro from Sunderland, has been forced to play right-back for the last four games. It follows the late injury for Callum Brittain at Derby County.

In that time, Browne has had to contend with some fast and tricky wingers, with that the case again on Wednesday evening at Stoke City, as he largely nullified the threat of Sorba Thomas.

Not only that, but Browne had a big impact on the game at the other end too. Scoring Boro’s equaliser just three minutes into the second half, he then produced a wonderful cross to also grab an assist for what proved to be Boro’s winning goal from Tommy Conway.