MIDDLESBROUGH'S rising teenage talents have been told by Ray Parlour to keep their feet on the ground if they intend to become even bigger names on the Premiership stage.

Defender Matthew Bates followed James Morrison when he yesterday signed a contract that will keep him on Teesside until the summer of 2009.

It is a big professional deal for Bates and a sign that Middlesbrough are determined to keep hold of their brightest youngsters.

The 18-year-old was part of the FA Youth Cup winning side last season and he captained the side last week when Sunderland visited the Riverside in the fourth round of this year's competition.

The Stockton-born centre-back made his full debut in Boro's 3-2 win over Manchester City last month and followed fellow young guns Morrison and Tony McMahon on to the senior platform.

The three, along with Hartlepool-born Andrew Taylor, will be in the England Under-19 squad to face Belgium on February 9.

Both midfielder Morrison and full-back McMahon have had major impacts in the Premiership this season since making impressive domestic debuts in the 1-1 draw at Manchester United in October.

But Parlour, 14 years a professional at Arsenal after coming through the ranks, attempts to keep a lid on the optimism surrounding the undoubted potential of the select group.

The midfielder, likely to be in the side that makes the trip to Old Trafford for an FA Cup tie this weekend, said: "James and Tony have played in Europe and in the Premiership and you have to rely on those players some times. They have shown they can be relied on.

"Earlier in the season they went to Old Trafford and did a great job. There's not many more difficult places you can be asked to do a job at and they did that job.

"That's what is required every time they are called upon and to be fair to them they have done that every time they have played.

"The manager will be delighted to know that he can rely on those players and it's good for the manager, the squad and the supporters that noone can be guaranteed a place.

"I love to see home grown players come through the ranks. Morrison and McMahon have played regularly and we also have the likes of Matthew Bates as well who has a good future. The manager knows he can play them at any time and they will be future stars."

Boss Steve McClaren, also in talks with McMahon over a new contract, said: "There's still a great deal of hard work ahead, but Matthew has many of the attributes to become a top quality defender.

"He is strong and determined and I would have no hesitation in playing him in the first team if need be."

Boro chief executive Keith Lamb has revealed that any attempt to bring Celtic's Bobo Balde to the North-East will wait until the summer. "There is no way we will be signing Balde in January," he said.

Juventus defender Igor Tudor was the latest name to be linked with a move to Teesside yesterday.

* Danny Graham, has been called up for England Under-20 squad to face Russia at The Valley on February 8 along with goalkeeper Ross Turnbull - currently on loan at Barnsley.

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