Yeates concentrating on Boro role

Yeates has made 11 appearances for Boro this season

Middlesbrough winger Mark Yeates has reiterated his desire to establish himself at club level before worrying about international honours.

Yeates, 24, has been capped at B level for the Republic of Ireland but admits he needs to become a first-team regular before he can think of a call-up.

"There's a couple of Ireland friendly games coming up," he told BBC Tees.

"But I've got to make sure I'm doing well here before I start pushing myself for recognition."

The winger, who can play on either flank, joined Middlesbrough from League One side Colchester United for £500,000 in June 2009 and has since made 11 appearances, three as substitute.

Meanwhile some sections of the club's support have expressed their disappointment after the Teessiders slipped out of the automatic promotion places following two disappointing results against West Bromwich Albion and Leicester.

A 2-0 win against Reading lifted the mood around the Riverside and Yeates believes supporters need to show patience and understanding at the magnitude of the task in getting the club back into the Premier League.

"If we sat down as a group and were asked that being just a point behind the automatic promotion and we're in the play-offs we'd be pleased," he said.

"We set ourselves targets and goals and we're probably as couple of points off that, but all in all other than a couple of shaky performances which happens, we're pleased with how it has gone.

"The team spirit's top notch, we're all working our socks off for each other, you've got to stay focused."