Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate insists striker Lee Dong-gook will make an impact in the Premier League.
Boro boss tips Korean ace to start scoring
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate insists striker Lee Dong-gook will make an impact in the Premier League.
The 28-year-old arrived in January following a trial spell, but he has failed to make any sort of impact, as his only goal so far has come in the Carling Cup against Northampton.
Recent injuries to first-choice trio Mido, Jeremie Aliadiere and Tuncay Sanli have seen Lee pushed into first-team duty.
Despite making little impression thus far, Southgate is fully behind his Asian ace.
Confidence
"I think there's a lot of criticism of him, but he's only had really three or four starts for us and it's hard if you haven't been first choice to get a flow and get your confidence up," insisted Southgate.
"He needs people to be supportive of him and I thought the two games against Sunderland and Spurs in particular, for large parts he's had to play up front on his own and that's a tough role for anybody.
"He's done a job for the team when asked and hopefully he can get goals that will answer the critics."
Injuries
Southgate realises he is short in the striking department, but he insists that they will just have to try and cope.
"Injuries are part and parcel of the game. We have to deal with them," he said.
"I don't know how many strikers Everton have got. I think it's four.
"Lots of Premier League clubs are in the same boat with the same-sized squad of strikers.
"We have got injuries to three of ours and if other clubs were in the same situation then they would also have to find a way to deal with it.
"That's what we are doing. We have to think about what we can do to affect the situation and how we might improve."
