Southgate warning for Alves

Record signing needs to prove himself

By Graeme Bailey   Last updated: 27th March 2008

Afonso Alves Middlesbrough 2008

Alves has battle on his hands

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Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has told record signing Afonso Alves that he will have to fight for his place in the team.

The 27-year-old has yet to play a full 90 minutes for the club since he arrived for more than £12million from Dutch club Heerenveen in January.

He has also yet to score for his new club following three starts.

Southgate is not worried by Alves' own plight - mainly due to the fact he has Tuncay Sanli and Jeremie Aliadiere playing well ahead of him.

Fight

"He has hardly had any time on the field for us, really. When you bring a player in for that sort of fee, it immediately attracts a lot more attention," he said.

"Tuncay Sanli was a free and Jeremie Aliadiere was £2million, and that does not carry the weight of expectation for them.

"But in training and when I am picking the team, I do not view them any differently just because one has come for a large sum of money.

"We treat them all the same and pick the team on the same basis.

"I know it is going to take him time - I said that from the day we signed him and nothing has changed in that respect.

"I am quite comfortable with that situation."

Southgate, though, is happy to let Alves adapt to life in England - as he did with Tuncay - who took four months to find the net after arriving from Turkey, but he has since scored six goals.

"Like all players coming from abroad and adapting to a different league, it took three months or so for him to adjust," he said.

"But he is a fit boy, his work-rate for the team is outstanding and he is a pleasure to work with.

"He has an enthusiasm for the game and an enjoyment of life. He always comes in with a smile on his face, and it is great to work with players like that because they give you energy."