Middlesbrough manager Tony Mowbray has praised midfielder Kevin Thomson after he returned from injury in Saturday's 1-0 win over Cardiff City.The 26-year-old played the full 90 minutes having overcome a knock to the leg he broke in only his second appearance against Leicester in August.
"The two weeks he's been off he's been in the gym, we've got to give him a lot of credit," Mowbray told BBC Tees.
"He played a mammoth part in the team being solid and hard to play through."
Mowbray added: "He showed his strength and his quality of passing and he's an important player for our club."
Thomson has made nine appearances for Middlesbrough since his £2m summer move from Glasgow Rangers.
The former Hibernian player has endured a tough time with injuries during his career, suffering cruciate ligament injuries while with the Edinburgh side and at Rangers.
Meanwhile Boro were without the suspended centre-half David Wheater for the visit of Dave Jones' side, an absence which prompted a first start of the season for Seb Hines.
The 22-year-old, alongside captain Matthew Bates at the heart of defence, helped Boro to a first win and a first clean sheet in four matches.
"I was struggling for an adjective [to describe Hines' display], immaculate was the one I came up with," Mowbray continued.
"He was immaculate, he didn't put a foot wrong, he is in the right position, his mobility is very evident, he gets there's, he's brave and gets his head on things.
"For a boy who hasn't played much football in the last few years, mainly due to injury and opportunity, we're delighted for him."
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport