Grounds ready to battle for place

Grounds was on loan at Norwich for three months

Middlesbrough defender Jonathan Grounds has vowed to fight to keep his place in the first team.

The 20-year-old was recalled from a loan spell at Norwich City to play in Boro's 1-0 win at Wigan Athletic after injuries hit the squad.

"If the manager sticks with me, hopefully I can get a few more opportunities," Grounds told BBC Tees.

First choice left-back Andrew Taylor is now fit again after recovering from a hip injury.

Grounds graduated from Middlesbrough's academy and made his Premier League debut against Liverpool at the Riverside last season.

He made three starts and two substitute appearances during his time at Norwich City.

"You get more maturity with being away from home and playing in a different environment. When you come back you feel a lot more confident to be able to go into the first-team," Grounds added.

Boro's 1-0 victory over the Latics was their first away win in the Premier League since they beat Portsmouth in December 2007 and it was also their first clean sheet of the season.