MIDDLESBROUGH manager Steve McClaren revealed he has no qualms about sending his young guns into first-team battle - even if it has been more out of necessity than choice.

Boro finished Wednesday's Carling Cup third-round tie against Coventry City with four teenagers on the pitch in a comfortable 3-0 victory at the Riverside.

Nineteen-year-old defender Andrew Davies made an impressive return to the first-team fold after breaking his leg in March, and helped Boro to only their third clean sheet of the season.

Striker Danny Graham, 19, was another who caught the eye and capped only his second senior appearance for the club with his first goal for Boro. Talented teenage duo Tony McMahon, 18, and James Morrison, also 18, who have already made their mark this season, made up the quartet.

Many managers consider the Carling Cup secondary, and use the competition as an opportunity to blood youngsters and give their second-string players a run out.

McClaren, however, did not have this luxury, a result of the Teessiders' crippling injury list.

But Wednesday's cup tie was not the first time the former Derby and Manchester United coach has been forced to call upon his young starlets this season.

McMahon and Morrison both made outstanding Premiership debuts this month in Boro's hard-fought 1-1 draw against Manchester United at the intimidating Old Trafford arena.

Full-back McMahon succeeded in doing what hundreds of defenders the length and breadth of Europe have failed to do when he kept winger Ryan Giggs quiet for 90 minutes, and Morrison left the pitch with an assist after his surging run and cross was thumped home by Stewart Downing.

Downing, at 20, is almost a veteran in comparison with his teenage team-mates, and despite making only 12 appearances for the club, has been hailed by many as the answer to England's problem left side of midfield after several sparkling performances this season.

The Boro boss was quick to hail the emergence of his youngsters and hinted the club still has other hidden gems in the academy treasure chest.

He said: "I think it shows how far this club has come when we can put out the team we did against a very good Coventry side and win the game comfortably. In previous years we have used the squad and struggled through the early rounds.

"The youngsters have been given an opportunity because of all the injuries we have had. Perhaps it has come a little earlier than I would have liked but they have come in and done the job well, especially the likes of Tony McMahon and James Morrisson.

"But they have had experienced players around them who have brought them along; none more so than Colin Cooper, who has been tremendous, and Gareth Southgate.

"It has surprised me how well we have done but it certainly helps, what with all these injuries, but we have some good youngsters coming through.

"Andrew Davies has done fantastically well coming back from a broken leg. I think it is as much a psychological thing as a physical thing and to get over that barrier and play 90 minutes on Wednesday was huge for him.

"You have to build a football club from the bottom up and that starts with the academy. I was fortunate to have the academy here already with youngsters coming through.

"We have built on that and three years on we are bearing the fruits of it because those youngsters are now playing in the first team."

Despite Franck Queudrue returning to the fold for the first time in five weeks, Middlesbrough's horrific injury list has two more additions, which means the youngsters are likely to be involved again at Charlton this afternoon.

Ugo Ehiogu will miss out following a tear to his calf and he is joined on the sidelines by Szilard Nemeth, who has a hip problem.

"It is an important game against Charlton," said McClaren. "Our record is not very good there and we need to change that."

"We have a tough spell coming up. We have four very difficult games in four very different competitions in Charlton, Lazio, Bolton, and Liverpool. The squad will be needed and the Charlton game is the most important that we face and we need a result."

Meanwhile, McClaren revealed the Teessiders are closer to securing the long-term future of goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer. He was offered a new contract last summer but it remains unsigned after initial negotiations between club and keeper broke down.

McClaren said: "We are still negotiating Mark Schwarzer's contract. We are getting closer and we want to keep Mark.

"It doesn't help him but as long as he is playing well he is going to be linked with other clubs. You talk about our recent good defensive record and our back four but you need a good goalkeeper behind them and we certainly have one of the best."

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