Middlesbrough is a top club says Naughton

Last updated : 03 April 2010 By Northern Echo

Naughton has made ten appearances for Gordon Strachan since his move to the North-East on deadline day and is regarded at Tottenham as a player with plenty of potential.

He is due to return to the North London club at the end of the season, when he is expecting to sit down with manager Harry Redknapp to discuss his future.

Naughton makes no secret of his desire to be part of Redknapp's plans in the Premier League, although he accepts he could be asked to go out on loan again through part of next season.

We haven't sat down yet and talked about the longer term, said Naughton. I am contracted to Tottenham and my aim is still to get a place in their first team.

But I am realistic and if it means I have to go on loan again then so be it. It's all still to be decided. If I was to go on loan I couldn't find anywhere better than Middlesbrough. This is a top, top club.

Naugthon moved to Tottenham last summer from Sheffield United.

However, after just three appearances in the first half of the season, he was allowed to head out temporarily to the Riverside Stadium.

Games have become more regular during his time on Teesside, although his form has been up and down and his place in the team to face Crystal Palace this afternoon is far from certain.

But the full-back, an England Under-21 international, is excited about what the future might have in store for him.

I'm really enjoying the chance to get games under my belt that was the whole reason for coming, he said.

It was tough to break into the Spurs team, they are an outstanding side and their league position tells you everything.

I still see myself as someone who can progress and someday soon be a regular player in the Premier League.

That takes time, which is why I had no problem coming to Middlesbrough on loan. This is a great club.

The set up is second to none and the gaffer is great so it's good for my learning curve.

Kyle Naughton was speaking at the MFC in the Community's Enterprise Academy when he and team-mate David Wheater captained teams representing local secondary schools who design and make new football strips for the Boro stars to model.

Over 40,000 young people have already benefited from the mentoring, exciting activities and accredited courses on offer at the Enterprise Academy since 2002.

Tutors on the groundbreaking programme have used the Middlesbrough Football Club model to inspire Tees Valley students and help them in the topics of business, enterprise and self-employment.

Source: Northern Echo

Source: Northern Echo