AS Stewart Downing prepares for his international bow, the last man to hail from Middlesbrough and play for Boro and England has given the latest Teesside hero a glowing tribute.

Striker Alan Peacock, who earned four caps for his country nearly 40 years ago, he is expecting Downing to earn a few more after making his debut for Sven-Goran Eriksson's men tonight.

Peacock, who formed a formidable partnership with Brian Clough on Teesside, was fortunate enough to be aided in his quest for goals by the creative flair of two dazzling wingers in the shape of Edwin Holliday and Billy Day.

But in Downing, Peacock believes the Riverside Stadium's class of 2005 have a wide-player who possesses all the necessary attributes to become a household name on both the Premiership and international stages.

"Stewart Downing actually reminds me of Edwin Holliday," said Peacock, who works commercially at Boro matches and witnessed first-hand the rapid development of the 20-year-old.

"He has so much pace and his crossing, for someone of his age, is fantastic. The best thing about Downing is that he still has the best years in front of him. His crossing is sure to get even better and it's hard to imagine how good that will be because it's already fantastic.

"I would have loved to have played in the side with Downing running down the flank. But even though I say that I was lucky enough to play in a pretty awesome attacking line. Myself and Cloughie had Billy and Edwin as the two wingers and there was not much that pair couldn't do."

Peacock was brought up in North Ormesby, just a road or two away from the Pallister Park estate where Downing went to school and was brought up.

So the fact that the town will be able to add another name to its list of home-grown internationals is something not lost on the legendary 67-year-old, who has had to wait since 1966 for another player from the town to make the step up to international level from the club.

Gary Pallister managed it, but he was born in Ramsgate, while Stuart Ripley and Colin Cooper both got caps only after moving on. Stephen Pears was also called up but never played.

Peacock feels that Downing, likely to be given an opportunity to shine at some stage during tonight's friendly with Holland, will not be the last to make the step up from Steve McClaren's men.

He believes that the FA Youth Cup success last season is the proof that Boro's future is bright.

"Middlesbrough might have got their hands on the Carling Cup last season but it was the Youth Cup that really got me," said Peacock, who like Downing, represented England from youth level upwards.

"It goes back to the days when I was playing. I remember playing against a Man United side in the Youth Cup and Bobby Charlton and Duncan Edwards were both playing, and everybody knows how good they were.

"I just feel that Middlesbrough winning that competition last season shows just how good a youth set-up they have. A few of the players have already played in the Premiership this season and have not looked out of place.

"There is every chance some of those players, like James Morrison and Tony McMahon, can step up eventually as well. They have all had a good grounding and wouldn't it be great if they followed Downing through?"

Peacock was 25 before he was handed his first England honour by Walter Winterbottom and it was a selection that led to the Teessider being handed the chance to play in the 1962 World Cup in Chile.

There is every chance Downing could be on his way to the 2006 championships in Germany, providing he can have the sort of impact on Eriksson most would dream about.

Peacock has nothing but confidence in the youngster. "Downing is playing in one of the biggest leagues in the world, if not the biggest," he said.

"Age doesn't matter any more. If you are good enough you are old enough and that is the case with Downing. He has shown he can cope with the big occasion in the Premier League and I'm sure he will be able to cope with the pressure of playing for England.

"There is always a question mark over younger players about whether they can find the consistency but Downing has shown he is able to do that.

"He trains with big name players every day so going to train with England shouldn't be too much different. He has Steve McClaren down there with him as a coach and that's sure to help."

The itinerary Peacock received from the FA on his England debut in 1962 still takes pride of place in his Teesside home.

After a similar period of time has elapsed, there is every chance Downing will look back and cherish the moment in February, 2005 when he received the news of a chance to shine in Eriksson's England at Villa Park