Mido Tipped For The Top
MIDO has all the attributes to become a cult hero with the Riverside faithful, boss Gareth Southgate believes.
The Egyptian international will come face to face with last season's top scorer Mark Viduka on Sunday and Southgate believes he is capable of becoming just as big a success.
He said: "Mido is going to be a huge figure for us. I'm sure he will become a huge fans' favourite and will relish the chance to step into the fold and help take this team forward.
"He's a strong character and an intelligent lad. The rest of the team can see how much he wants to be here and play a part in what we're doing and how much belief he has in himself and in them.
"I think the fans will warm to that, they can see the passion and quality he has and I've no doubts he's going to be a big hit."
Mido, 24, is likely to be asked to lead Boro's attack against the Geordies with Yakubu set to complete a move to Everton.
"The timing is far from ideal but I still feel an unhappy player would be detrimental to what we're trying to achieve," said Southgate of the Nigerian striker's pending exit.
"In the end we felt the offer from Everton was a very good one and a fair one for a player who didn't want to stay.
"The lad just wanted a new challenge. I've got no issue with that. He was excellent for us last season and the season before in terms of the numbers of goals he scored.
"You need everyone in your squad to want to be here and be part of what you want to build. We wish him well and thank him for what he did."
Southgate also paid a glowing tribute to Yakubu's erstwhile striker partner Viduka, who can expect a less generous welcome from the fans as he returns to the Riverside for the first time since his summer departure.
"He was an outstanding player, I loved looking after him, he scored some very important goals for us and he led the team from the front," he said.
"I've spoken to him since and I hope it works out for him as an individual. But he knows on Sunday we will be around and about him and trying to make life as uncomfortable for him as we possibly can."
There have been some stern tests of character for his team already with the season less than two weeks old but Southgate is confident his squad have the mettle to pass their latest one with flying colours.
"We've had lots of things thrown at us - injuries, suspensions and players leaving - but that's football," he said.
"We don't live in an ideal world but I'm up for the challenge. We've got a fantastic game against Newcastle to look forward to.
"When I look back at the week we probably should have had three points against Blackburn and a point at Fulham.
"If we can get the win against Newcastle, a first home win on the back of a first away win, it sets things up for a healthier picture. But we know there's a lot of work to do and a lot of improvements to make.
"We've got signings we've made in the summer who haven't played for us yet. All these things take time and we're still looking for our best team but we'll get closer to that and improve as the season goes on.
"As a manager you have to keep walking through all the bombs that go off and dealing with all the setbacks.
"We will have 11 players out there on Sunday who will give everything they've got and that's more important than anything else."
