Friend insists Leadbitter is still Boro’s leader

George Friend insists Middlesbrough team-mate Grant Leadbitter remains the leader of the squad after the full-back wore the captain’s armband in the 1-1 draw against Stoke.

The 28-year-old stood in for Leadbitter on Saturday as the club captain continues his recovery from a hernia operation.

Middlesbrough took the lead through new signing Alvaro Negredo after just 11 minutes at the weekend but Stoke rescued a point through Xherdan Shaqiri’s goal in the second half.

And Friend was full of praise for the influence Leadbitter has had on the squad since signing at the Riverside Stadium in 2012.

“First I want to say I feel a slight disappointment for Grant at missing out on this first day back in the Premier League,” said Friend.

(Photo by Chris Brunskill/Getty Images)

“He signed in the same year as I did in 2012 and he has been a huge part of what has happened at this club since then and in getting us to promotion last season.

“He has been a very important player and a strong character in the group so it is a bit sad that he missed out on playing in such a big occasion for Middlesbrough.

“He may be out injured at the moment but there is no question that he is our captain.

“I really look up to him. He’s a great leader and we miss him and for me to stand in for him at a time like this has been a real honour and I’m very proud to do that.”