MIDDLESBROUGH captain Jonathan Woodgate believes the sky is the limit for Jason Steele as the goalkeeper put in another man-of-the match performance on Saturday.

Steele made a string of impressive saves during Boro’s 1-0 win at Brighton and Hove Albion to keep the Seagulls’ attack at bay.

And Woodgate, who has played in front of Iker Casillas and Shay Given at former clubs Real Madrid and Newcastle United, recognises the quality that Steele possesses.

“Steeley can be whoever he wants to be,” said Woodgate, who returned from a threeweek lay-off to skipper his side on Saturday. “He’s improving every day. He knows as much as anyone that you can’t stand still as a keeper.

“This season he’s been our best player, and hopefully he’ll be here for many years.”

Steele’s best contribution of a second half which saw Albion camped in the Boro half was a superb one-handed save from Ashley Barnes – but, with a wry smile, Woodgate thought he could have done better with it.

“That save in the second half ? I thought he should have caught it,” he joked.

“There was another one he should have caught later on from another header, but that save, and his performance, was outstanding.”

Steele’s performance was just one of a string of fine contributions from Boro’s back five as they stemmed a relentless flow of attacks in the second half after Marvin Emnes had scored a 21st minute opener – and Woodgate feels that concentration was the watch word at the Amex Stadium.

He said: “The manager said that all week in training that we had to concentrate. It’s one of those games where you’re constantly thinking. It wasn’t easy, but it’s not bad getting a 1-0 win away from home. Brighton are a decent side, they’ll beat a lot of teams this season and they’re a few points clear of us, so it’s vital we got the three points.”