ANDREW TAYLOR has revealed how Jonathan Woodgate is helping nurture Middlesbrough's young players into international stars of the future.

Plenty has been made of Woodgate's exceptional performances on the pitch since his August move from Real Madrid but few realise the benefits he is having on the squad behind the scenes.

And Taylor, a 20-year-old left-back revelling in the opportunity to play alongside Woodgate, has described how the former Leeds and Newcastle centre-back is offering words of encouragement to those around him.

As well as the Hartlepool-born defender, Woodgate has been operating as the figurehead of a four-man backline for much of the campaign alongside other young stoppers Andrew Davies and Emanuel Pogatetz.

Taylor, who has broken on to the England Under-21s scene and is showing he has the potential to make the step up to senior level one day, admits Woodgate is doing Gareth Southgate's squad the world of good.

"He is a player with bags of experience and I'm just learning from him, it's great," said Taylor, who has only 24 Premiership starts under his belt.

"He talks to a lot of young lads, especially me and Andrew, and we can only benefit from that.

"On the pitch he will direct us and tell us where our position should be. As he is so down to earth he is approachable and if you have a problem, or need advice, he is someone you can talk to."

Woodgate's latest performance at Everton led to Southgate hailing him as the best there is in this country.

The form he is showing - highlighted again by his awesome display on Boxing Day - is earning him calls for a recall to the England fold, something likely to happen in February, against Spain at Old Trafford.

There is no doubt in Taylor's mind that that should be the case, although he insists Pogatetz' influence should not be underestimated either.

"Jonathan is world-class and he has to be up there as one of the best defenders England has got," he said.

"If he keeps fit it won't be long before he is back in the England squad. He reads the game so well. His positional sense is fantastic.

"Pogatetz, in the air, is a beast, he's an animal. It's good to have two centre-backs who you know, nine times out of ten, are going to win a header. It gives the whole back four confidence."

The four points earned from the festive games with Everton and Charlton have left Boro three points above the relegation zone.

That, after six games without a win, has given the squad hope a first away win of the season can arrive at Blackburn on Saturday, before the New Year's Day visit of Sheffield United.

Taylor, relishing his chance to play in the top-flight after starting last season on loan at Bradford City, feels it is a matter of time before Middlesbrough are in the upper half of the table.

"We have an opportunity now to build," he said. "It was an important point for us at Everton and well deserved.

"Against Charlton we played really well after we had edged our way in front. We are looking to kick on now and get another three, possibly six, points from Blackburn and Sheffield.

"It was a weight lifted off our shoulders on Saturday. We knew we had the ability to beat teams but it wasn't happening. The league position was starting to get on top of us and we needed that win.

"We know we can get wins from both Blackburn and Sheffield. We need them too, as they are teams around us. It's that type of league but we will go there full of confidence. We knew it was going to be hard at Everton and it was a good point earned."