George is firm Friends with Fabio at Boro

George Friend and Fabio are firm friends off the pitch but when it comes to the starting left back position at Middlesbrough, there is no love lost between the two.

Friend’s injury back in November allowed the Brazilian – formerly of Manchester United – to get into the first team and impress boss Aitor Karanka.

But Friend is now back firing fit and started Boro’s New Year’s Eve clash at Old Trafford.

The competition between the duo therefore is now intense but Friend welcomes the challenge.

“I’ve had competition for places in all five seasons I’ve been here and I enjoy that,” said Friend. “Fabio is a fantastic player and a really great lad.

“Our relationship off the pitch is well-documented, we get on really well. The key is us staying up this year so whether I’m playing, he’s playing or Roberto Carlos is playing – let’s stay up, that’s the key.”

(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

On Sunday Boro kick off their FA Cup campaign by welcoming Sheffield Wednesday to the Riverside and Friend insists they are anticipating a full-blooded clash with their Championship opponents.

“It’s a tough game, they’re doing well in the Championship and have always been a big threat,” he added.

“They’re a strong side. It’s important we aren’t too ahead of ourselves thinking that we’re the Premier League club now because we’re only just out of it [the Championship] so we need to remember where we are.”