TONY MOWBRAY has praised Grant Leadbitter after his first season on Teesside and admits he is looking to find more players like the midfielder to make Middlesbrough stronger contenders in the Championship next season.

Leadbitter arrived at the Riverside last summer on a free transfer and established himself as a key component in Mowbray's starting XI.

The former Sunderland man has arguably been Boro's most consistent performer throughout the campaign and his performances were rewarded last week when he was named the supporters' Player of the Year.

The Fencehouses-born midfielder has been one of a few positives Mowbray can take from a disappointing season, in which his side failed to maintain their push for a top-six finish for the second season running, and is also proof that the free transfer market is worth looking in to.

After his three-year contract at Ipswich Town ended, Mowbray snapped up the 27-year-old quickly and the Boro boss has already revealed he will look to exploit that market once again this summer.

"I have to say we need to try and find a few more Grant Leadbitters this year and that's not to put him on too much of a pedestal," said Mowbray, whose side finished their season with a defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.

"Just the quality of the pro he is, the hard work and his honesty, which is what makes him a core player and we are working hard to try and find a few more of them, which will help the team."

Leadbitter has been more or less an ever-present for the Teessiders this season making 47 appearances in all and the former Sunderland trainee has shown the capability to play in different roles at the heart of Boro's midfield.

Mowbray's search for summer signings is already underway and he hopes there are more players like Leadbitter out there who can make a difference in the next campaign.

He said: "If we've got to press high up the pitch, Grant can do that, if we're going to sit deep and counter attack, Grant can do that.

"If we want him to hit long passes he can, if we want him to sit in front of the back four and keep feeding his full back he can do that. "That's the versatility, he's a good player and in my mind we need a few more of them."