Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is happy that young defender David Wheater will head into the new season with dreams still to fulfil.The 21-year-old excelled to such an extent last season that he won a place in England coach Fabio Capello's squad for the post-season friendlies against the United States and Trinidad and Tobago.

However, the Redcar-born player was an unused substitute in both games, and although he may have been a little disappointed not to make his senior international debut, his club manager was privately pleased, if for the best of reasons.

Southgate was delighted with the way Wheater emerged from the ranks amid an injury crisis at such an early stage in his career to command a place in the starting line-up on merit last season.

However, he is challenging him to take his game to the next level when hostilities resume in August.

Southgate told the club's official website: "It's a challenge for him - I don't think it's anything he should fear.

"He has seen what the league is about, he has proved he can play at this level.

"The thing about becoming a top player is producing it season in, season out.

"Getting a place in the team is one thing - and it is incredibly hard. But it is even harder keeping it, so that's the challenge for him.

"I am pleased in a selfish sense from Middlesbrough's point of view that he didn't get that England cap at the end of the season because he has still got something to strive for and so much ahead of him if he continues in the way he did last season."

Wheater got his chance in pre-season with central defenders Jonathan Woodgate, Emanuel Pogatetz and Robert Huth all injured, and has not looked back since.

He made 40 starts - he previously had just nine senior appearances for the club to his name - and scored four goals to make himself a near-automatic selection.

Capello included the under-21 international in his initial 30-man party for the friendly clash with France in March, although he did not make the final squad.

However, his most recent inclusion in a party which was admittedly short of experienced campaigners will have given him further encouragement for the start of pre-season training next month.

Wheater and his club-mates are due back at Boro's Rockliffe Park training headquarters on July 7, and they can expect major changes in the way they work.

Southgate spoke at the end of the last campaign about shaking things up, and that process includes the appointment of a new fitness coach.

Former Celtic player Frank Nuttall, who has previously worked with Rangers and the FA, will operate as head of physical development alongside conditioning coach Nick Allamby and head of sports science Chris Barnes in an effort to improve the recovery times of injured players.

The Teessiders lost the likes Huth, Mido, Andrew Taylor and Julio Arca for extended periods last season, and suffered as a result.

Southgate said: "I think this is the way the game is going.

"One of the problems we had last year is that we didn't get players on the pitch regularly enough, and I think the way we want to work with the team this year will benefit us."

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