Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate has reassured winger Marvin Emnes that he will be given a chance to prove himself.

Following his GBP 3.2 million move to the Riverside stadium, Emnes has only made two appearances for Boro, both in the Carling Cup.

Southgate said: "We don't bring any players in with the belief that they must automatically go straight into the first team.

"Of course we sign them because we see them as first-team players. But we feel that most players need time to adjust. That particularly applies to young players like Emnes and Didier Digard.

"This is their first experience outside of their own country and it can come as a shock to the system."

He added: "It's been frustrating for him so far because it's been stop-start, but his career here is just beginning and we will bring him along at the right pace.

"I like Marvin a lot. That's why I brought him here. He is an exciting player who has goals in him and he is fast.

"Marvin will become more and more involved as he gets used to us. We have invested in him for the long term."