Downing on an upward curve

Middlesbrough FC winger Stewart Downing is in buoyant mood ahead of the UEFA Cup final against Sevilla FC and has an extra spring in his step following the announcement of England's squad for the FIFA World Cup finals.

'Over the moon'
Before Sven-Göran Eriksson's confirmation of the 23 players who will feature at this summer's tournament in Germany, Downing told uefa.com: "I've hit form at a good time over the last month and I've been lucky, Sven's been there when I've played well. Obviously if I get in I'll be over the moon and that'll give me confidence for Wednesday but the UEFA Cup final is first and foremost."

No fear
Having now been named in the squad, the 21-year-old Teessider is free to concentrate on the biggest game in Middlesbrough's history, and admits he is eager for the match to get under way. "It's been dragging over the last few days, I can't wait to get on with it," he said. "We've done well recently and we're confident that we can get a good result. If we're prepared and play well, we can have a go at anybody. We've beaten some great sides this season, played teams like Chelsea [FC] and Manchester United [FC] off the park, so we're not afraid of anyone."

Knee problem
Having missed the first five months of the season with a knee injury, Downing has been making up for lost time although he admits that, with Middlesbrough struggling, his comeback in January was initially trying. "Getting back into it the first couple of weeks was hard - obviously the results and performances weren't helping. We never really got on a run. We'd win and then lose the next game. The UEFA Cup has bred confidence. We started doing well in the Premiership and the young lads were given a chance and took it well."

Academic excellence
Downing is the star product of the much-vaunted academy at Middlesbrough, whose first team has featured no less than 16 graduates this season, and the winger admits he feels a sense of responsibility towards his younger team-mates. "It's quite flattering to think that the lads from the academy look up to me - I try to help them like the older lads do with me. I still look at the older players, and you learn little things." A perfect example is Downing's improved defensive work, which he attributes to some well-placed advice: "I was told if you work hard the older players respect you more so I'm doing more tracking back. I've learnt you can't just go forward, you have to do a job for the team first."

Unbelievable progress
Middlesbrough's last two UEFA Cup ties, against FC Basel 1893 and FC Steaua Bucuresti, both culminated in last-gasp winners but Downing is hoping for a more straightforward final. "The way we've got here, getting the winner with almost the last kick of the game twice, has been brilliant, but hopefully we won't have to do that again, we can just play our normal game and win comfortably," said Downing. That would be a remarkable achievement in only the club's second season in UEFA competition, and the speed of Middlesbrough's progress has caught the winger by surprise. "Last season we did quite well in the UEFA Cup, had a lot of injuries but still got to the last 16. This season's just been unbelievable. I didn't think we'd do it against top teams, but we've played well and just kept coming back, and hopefully our name's on that trophy."