Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka has backed defender George Friend to bounce back from a torrid afternoon against Crystal Palace.
The 28-year-old full-back felt the full force of Wilfried Zaha as the Eagles ran out 2-1 winners at the Riverside Stadium last weekend with the Palace winger taking full advantage of the Boro defender's second-half error to score the decisive goal.
However, as he and his team-mates prepare to continue their Premier League education with a difficult trip to unbeaten Everton, Friend has received a ringing endorsement from his head coach.
Karanka said: 'George is the son every mother wants to have, the husband every wife wants.