MIDDLESBROUGH'S England prospect Stewart Downing has been described as "better than Marc Overmars" by the Dutchman's international colleague Michael Reiziger.

Reiziger claims Boro's wing sensation's style of play bears more than a resemblance to another of his Holland teammates Arjen Robben, who is lighting up the Premiership with his dazzling displays for Chelsea.

The similarities claimed are a further testament to the incredible first full season Downing has been enjoying as one of Steve McClaren's regulars and one of the main reasons why the youngster is on the verge of an England call-up.

National team boss Sven Goran Eriksson admitted this week that the Middlesbrough player is likely to be called-up for the friendly with Holland in February, when Downing could go head-to-head with Robben in the battle of the wing wizards at Villa Park.

Reiziger, who used to love watching the flank skills of former England and Liverpool left midfielder John Barnes, has been so impressed by the Teessider's talents that he has paid him the ultimate tribute.

"Stewart is very good on the left. He's fast, skilful and he can be as good as Marc Overmars. Stewart has a better touch with his left than Marc," said Reiziger, who was a team-mate of Overmars at Barcelona and Ajax as well as for his country.

"Stewart also reminds me of Arjen Robben (the Chelsea player of the same age who is being tipped for a Player of the Year award this season). Arjen had a great European Championships and he has continued to show that sort of ability at Chelsea.

"But Stewart is also very fast and he has very great skills. He is a good kid and he has everything. He's down to earth and has everything to become a big star."

Reiziger is backing Eriksson's admission that Downing is in line for his first England cap early next year.

"Stewart's very good. He deserves to get the call-up because he has worked hard for it," said the 31-year-old.

"It will be good for his experience to play for the national team, he will become a stronger player for it. When I was a kid Barnes was one of my idols. He had a great touch with his left and I liked him a lot. Stewart is a little like him. He's young and that's why international football will help him. I think he will be an England player for some time."

With left-back Franck Queudrue available - as his three- match Premiership suspension does not come into account in Europe - Reiziger is battling it out with Tony McMahon for the right to start at home to Partizan Belgrade in the UEFA Cup tonight.

During Reiziger's time on the sidelines with a shoulder injury, the young full-back has proved more than an able deputy and Reiiger said: "Tony also has a big future. He has very good skills and is a very good defender. I will always have to fight for my place with him around. I have to do better than him. He has done very well."

Middlesbrough are already assured of a place in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup, regardless of the result against Partizan.

But victory over the Serbian outfit will hand McClaren's men top spot in Group E, meaning they will avoid being paired with one of the Champions League losers who will enter the draw in Nyon on Friday.

Reiziger, who also claimed finishing in the top four domestically is a strong possibility for Boro this season, is aiming to make sure that is the case.

"It's important to be first because if you are third or second in the group you get a game against a Champions League squad and you don't really want that," he said.

"You never have to be afraid but it would be a big match if you play a Champions League team. I used to play in Europe regularly and how we do in the competition this season will lead to people looking differently at the club.

"I'm not surprised with how we have done so far because we have a good squad. They made it clear to me they had the intention of getting into the top five and they brought in the players to do that. We can have a good run in the league and go for the UEFA Champions League."

Reiziger only made his comeback, after a three month lay-off, in the UEFA Cup test in Villarreal. But he said: "It was hard to sit out injured because I was new to the club. I couldn't do anything and now I'm fit and mentally I'm aiming to prove why they signed me.

"I'm sharper in the head. Physically I think I'm good. I have played only two matches but I'm getting back to where I want to be."