GARETH Southgate wants Dong-Gook Lee to prove his worth to Middlesbrough starting tonight in the Carling Cup tie at White Hart Lane.
Lee is Boros only fit striker with first team experience and is expected to play a lone role in attack at Tottenham Hotspur.
He has started just four games for the Teessiders since his much-publicised move from South Korean side Pohang Steelers in January.
Despite scoring his first goal for the club in the previous rounds 3-0 win over Northampton, the 28-year-old has been a huge disappointment and the fans have yet to see anything like his best form.
Its an important period for him, said Southgate, who will pack his midfield in the absence of a second striker.
He realises he has to push on now and we are looking for him to take that step up.
There is so much more to come from him. He knows we need a big performance from him.
Southgate is expected to resist any urge to play Stewart Downing in a more central role, despite the left-sided player offering his services as an emergency striker following Saturdays 2-2 draw with Sunderland.
The Boro boss, however, has seen enough of the England international C the clubs top scorer this term C to believe he could operate in a central role similar to the way Ryan Giggs is used at Manchester United.
Its an option for us (to play Downing through the middle).
Weve seen Ryan Giggs do it for Manchester United, said Southgate.
Its not something Ive seen Stewart do since Ive been at the club but Im certain its something he could turn his hand to for us.
With the confidence hes showing in front if goal its certainly something I wouldnt dismiss.
Hes scored more goals this campaign (three) already than he did in the whole of last season.
We havent really worked on Stewarts finishing as such, its more a case of encouraging him to find more scoring chances.
We want him to play higher up the field and push on. Again I think it goes back to belief in yourself.
Southgate confirmed that both Tuncay Sanli (fibula) and Mido (hamstring) should be fit for Sundays trip to Everton, despite missing out tonight.
There was confusion in last Saturdays Tees-Wear derby when Mido appeared to indicate he wasnt ready to come off after sustaining his injury with Southgate attempting to make a substitution.
But the Boro boss dismissed suggestions Midos action had caused him any problems.
Some people have said that it should be a problem for me and it could be seen as undermining my decision, but far from it, he said.
We thought he signalled he couldnt carry on. The good thing is that there isnt any serious damage on the scan.
It (Spurs) was certainly a game he was looking forward to.
Despite the injury he still wanted to travel with the team but we thought it was best for him to stay. Its a disappointment for him but his priority is to be right for the game at Everton.
Boro came up against Spurs at White Hart Lane on their to way to lifting the trophy in 2003/04, eventually winning on penalties after a late goal by Michael Ricketts took the tie into extra-time.
That was the night (December, 2003) we thought we were going out of the competition but in cup football you never know whats going to happen, said Southgate, who started that quarter-final at White Hart Lane.
Michael Ricketts got the late goal and we went though on penalties.
Its a competition we want to do well in. We can go into the game relaxed but determined.
Its a difficult draw and lots of people are writing us off and that suits us.
* Southgate has included young strikers Tom Craddock, 20, and Ben Hutchinson, 19, on the trip to north London along with 19-yearold winger Graeme Owens.
Craddock played eight minutes for the first team at Fulham two seasons ago as a second-half substitute, but Hutchinson and Owens have no previous senior experience.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article