AFTER initially adopting the tentative approach, Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren now accepts he has one of the country's hottest properties in Stewart Downing at his disposal.

McClaren claims the biggest compliment he has paid the 20-year-old so far was when Downing was told he would not be starting against Greek outfit Egaleo on Thursday night - ensuring he is fresh for tomorrow's visit of Portsmouth.

The left-midfielder has been in breathtaking form in recent weeks and was expected to retain his place on the left of midfield in Athens.

However, Downing along with international stars Gaizka Mendieta and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink were summoned for a brief chat with McClaren to learn that they would be travelling thousands of miles across Europe to warm the bench.

It is testament to Downing's talents that he was included among those given an indication he may not play. In the Premiership today only 18-year-old Wayne Rooney is likely to receive the same treatment at this early stage of his career.

And McClaren said: "We want to continue his development.

"There will be time when he will be hit or miss and he understands that.

"He's very much a confidence player. I had a chat with Jimmy, Stewart and Mendieta to let them know I was resting them. Just to be included in among those three who I told is a compliment to him."

Club captain Gareth Southgate also knows what a special player Middlesbrough could have on their hands if three-goal Downing continues to develop at the pace he is now.

"Stewart's got great talent. He's shown great quality and he showed that with his finish against Egaleo.

"When he opens up with that left foot we almost expect him to score. We shouldn't think like that really and we shouldn't put too much expectation on him," said Southgate.

"We have to nurture him and not push him too hard.

"There comes a point when you can't hold youngsters back, you have to let them go, trust them and see what they can do.

"At the moment Stewart is delivering and he is doing everything asked of him."

Downing, Hasselbaink and Mendieta - who were all second half substitutes against Egaleo - are likely to be back in the side against Portsmouth at the Riverside Stadium tomorrow.

Despite the success in Greece strengthening hopes of a place in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup, McClaren insists the Premiership remains his priority.

And the Middlesbrough boss believes it is a sign of how far the Teessiders have come this season when he can tinker with selections and give his players a breather - knowing whoever comes in can do a job.

"When you look at the bench we put out when we went to Ostrava we had all the kids on and now if we can keep the players fit we know we will always have strong players who can come on and do well," said McClaren, who will have George Boateng available after a stomach upset and Franck Queudrue back from European suspension.

"The players want to play in every game but they know it's not possible to do that.

"We want to stay in the UEFA Cup for as long as possible but the league is our main concern."

Boro are unbeaten in four matches and could climb to fourth with home victory over Portsmouth.

Harry Redknapp's side, who have won one of their last four league games, are strong at Fratton Park but on their travels they are a different proposition, having failed to win away so far this season.

"Sunday is a big game for us," said McClaren. "We gave Mark Viduka an hour against Egaleo so he's also ready."

Redknapp knows his side are underdogs tomorrow.

''We'll give it a go again on Sunday, give it our best shot against a club who have spent fortunes over the years buying quality players," he said.

"They are seeing the benefit of it now and it is going to be a tough test for us, but we are up for it.''

Pompey are 12th in the Premiership, one place higher than where they finished last term and looking nothing like a relegation side.

And Redknapp could be boosted by skipper Arjan de Zeeuw tomorrow after the Dutchman returned to training this week after missing five games with a knee ligament injury.

But winger Steve Stone is still out with an Achilles problem and Redknapp admitted: "Stoney is nowhere near coming back, to be honest, and we have nobody like him to play out wide.

''So some of the four central strikers may have to get used to being picked out of position."

Read more about Middlesbrough here.