Ryan Fredericks has hailed the positive influence of Jonathan Woodgate in his loan spell at Middlesbrough.
The flying full-back has impressed during his season-long switch to the Teesiders.
Only a six-week injury lay-off has kept Ryan out of the team currently top of the Championship and he’s racked up 15 appearances in all competitions.
Ryan started Boro’s high-profile FA Cup fifth round tie at Arsenal on Sunday and set-up his team’s best chance - his cross headed onto the post by Kike in added time - before taking his place again as the Riverside men came from a goal down and a man down to take a point at Birmingham on Wednesday to go back to the top of the Championship.
Jonathan played 60 times for us between 2008-2011 and famously helped us lift the League Cup against Chelsea in 2008 with an extra time winner at Wembley in what was only his fifth game in a Spurs shirt.
Now 35, Woody has only appeared twice this season but a wealth of experience gained over 17 years at the top level - including spells at Leeds, Newcastle and Real Madrid, plus eight England caps - has benefitted Ryan to the full.
“Woody’s been great, even when he’s not been in the team or involved he’s always in and around the dressing room, talking to the defenders about how to go about the next game, giving great advice,” said the full-back who now has loan spells at Brentford, Millwall and Boro under his belt.
“It was great to see a friendly face when I came up here. When you look at the player he’s been, the clubs he’s been at and the players he’s played with, when he talks, you listen!
“He’s also a great character around the place - he’s been a great help to me.”