RICHIE Smallwood is the latest product from the Middlesbrough Academy conveyor belt of talent, and the 21-year-old midfielder could well play a part in the club’s FA Cup at home to Shrewsbury Town today.

The Academy, which has been under the stewardship of Dave Parnaby for several years now, has been a valuable source of first-team talent for Boro, with the likes of current skipper Matthew Bates, along with Tony McMahon and Joe Bennett, all playing key roles in this season’s promotion push.

Smallwood has been tipped to be the next one to make the step up. While he has already been introduced to first-team action, a regular run has not been forthcoming – but today could be a chance to plant another seed in Tony Mowbray’s mind.

With Nicky Bailey out, Kevin Thomson seems likely to fill in should the Scot be feeling no ill effects from yesterday’s training session this morning, and Smallwood could well step in.

Whatever the outcome, Smallwood is grateful to the Academy for helping him reach the position he’s at in the first place, and also to the various Boro managers who have not been afraid to promote youth into the first team.

He said: “The managers have given the young lads a chance which has obviously helped. But the coaches have really been the key part.

“They have helped us all push on over the years. They also try to keep you grounded. They coach the scholarship scheme, you do the college work with it.

“Dave Parnaby does a good job to keep the lads grounded. Then there is the football side, I think it has all helped. It has shown on the pitch over the years that the scouting team works and the coaches work.”

Smallwood is also hoping that Boro’s bid for promotion goes all the way as he would like to be playing against one of his idols.

He added: “I used to like Roy Keane as I am a Man United fan but then I started to like Steven Gerrard.