Middlesbrough defender Robert Huth has revealed the sight of Jonathan Woodgate snuffing out Barclays Premiership strikers provided the perfect motivation for his fight for fitness.

The 22-year-old Germany international finally made his league debut for the Teessiders in Saturday's 2-1 victory over Everton with, on-loan Real Madrid star Woodgate himself in the treatment room.

Huth said: "I did not have a holiday because of my injury. I had the operation and got started straight away. Having time out and seeing Emanuel Pogatetz and Jonathan Woodgate playing so well has not been easy, but it kept me focused."