MIDDLESBROUGH have been told to do everything in their power to retain the services of Stewart Downing after the wing-wonder was named in the England squad for the first time.

Downing proved once again on Saturday that he is determined not to allow the hype surrounding his undoubted talent affect his game by turning in a dazzling display in the win over Blackburn.

It was the latest in a long line of impressive performances from the 20-year-old this season and Sven Goran Eriksson is expected to hand the player his first international cap in Wednesday's friendly with Holland.

But Middlesbrough team-mate Franck Queudrue last night insisted that manager Steve McClaren is going to have to work hard to retain the services of one of the country's hottest young talents.

Manchester United have been constantly mentioned as a possible next move for Downing, who is apparently seen by Sir Alex Ferguson as the long-term successor to Ryan Giggs.

And Queudrue, well aware that Downing only signed a four-year deal last March, believes that Boro are going to have to learn to cope with clubs inquiring about the left-midfielder.

"I hope we can keep him at Middlesbrough like Manchester United have done with Ryan Giggs," said Queudrue. "It will be hard because with his quality a big club will eventually come in for him - he's the same quality as Giggs, although with less experience.

"We've got some good young players here and that's why it's important to keep our good youngsters with us. That's why the future's rosy here if we can do that.

"Stewart loves to go forward with pace and can easily break down defences as we saw on Saturday. He's a great lad to have around and he's also learning more every day. He's quiet, he's not big headed, he stays down to earth.

"He's learning and he is mature enough to make a big impression for England. Youngsters do some crazy things and sometimes you need that in a team."

But Queudrue has urged England coach Eriksson to forget about playing attacking-midfielder Shaun Wright-Phillips out of position against the Dutch - meaning Downing will start the game on the bench.

There is a growing belief that Wright-Phillips will be handed the first opportunity to shine on the left so that captain David Beckham will retain his place on the opposite flank.

However, Queudrue feels that would be unfair on Downing. "Stewart must play on the left and Wright-Phillips on the right or Beckham," said Queudrue.

"The most important thing is that Eriksson picks the best players of the moment and Stewart is the best left midfielder at the moment."

Read more about Middlesbrough here.