Gareth's Delight For Duo
GARETH SOUTHGATE has heaped praise on two of his international stars for their efforts to regain full fitness over the summer.
Both Mido and Robert Huth had to endure frustrating lengthy spells on the sidelines last season but have both already made hugely positive impacts on the field this term.
Huth has started every Premier League game to date, while Mido has had to make do with three substitute appearances and one Carling Cup start.
But that hasn't affected the Egyptian's form and he currently leads the goalscoring charts with three excellent strikes against Spurs, Liverpool and Yeovil.
"Mido's performances have been excellent this season and I know he'll get more goals for us. He has worked very hard to regain his full fitness while we have helped rebuild his reputation."
There was speculation regarding the 25-year-old's future right up until the end of the transfer window, but Southgate feels the striker will benefit with staying at the Riverside.
"I made it clear to Mido that we want him here and were not prepared to let him go. It would have made no logic for us, as a club, to lose a player of his ability.
"Mido was frustrated and that is understandable. He's a very emotional lad and he wants to play. I have to deal with that.
"Andrew Taylor was left out and he felt the same way because he had played in the win over Tottenham and we were beating Liverpool when he left the pitch."
Southgate
revealed that he has slightly changed his selection policy to help with team unity.
"I picked my team (to play Stoke) on Thursday and that was a good thing because it allowed people to get their emotions out of the way before the day of the match.
"I have to handle those emotions and those characters. I understand Mido very well, I know he is an emotional person but I also know just what a good player he is."
Mido and fellow Egyptian Shawky have both been reported as picking up knocks while away on international duty for the game against Congo.
Meanwhile, Southgate heaped praise on defender Robert Huth, saying it will be a matter of time before he returns to the national side
"He's been putting in all sorts of hours to get himself onto the field.
"He is very composed on the ball, has great strength and he's horrible to play against because he hurts people!
"I think it's a matter of time before he gets back in to the German side. He has been on standby a couple of times recently so he is obviously in their thoughts. Ability wise he's definitely good enough, so I would think he'll be getting a call before too long."
Meanwhile, Southgate revealed that despite widespread newspaper speculation Boro had received no serious enquiries about Stewart Downing before Monday's deadline.
