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According to an interview as quoted by The Northern Echo, Middlesbrough midfielder John Obi Mikel has praised teammate Lewis Wing, and tipped him to go on to become a "top, top player" if he continues as he is right now.

What's the word, then?

Well, the 23-year-old was very nearly his side's hero when they hosted Leeds United on Saturday as he found the net, only to see the Teesside outfit denied the three points following Kalvin Phillips' equaliser in the 11th minute of injury time.

It was Wing's second goal of the season in the Championship and his second in Boro's previous four league outings, proving that he could well prove to be an important player under Tony Pulis in the coming weeks and months despite often missing out on a place in the squad earlier in the campaign.

Speaking to The Northern Echo, Obi Mikel said: "He looks to me a very good player. I don't know how old he is but if he keeps going like this he will be a top, top player.

"When I watch him play and when I watch him in training, I see he is a good player. He got a good goal and it is a shame he had to come off. He looks a good player to me."

Is Mikel right?

He could well be.

While Wing has often played as an out-and-out central midfielder previously, he has certainly shown that he can excel in a slightly more attack-minded role through the middle in recent weeks – as he did with his goal against Leeds.

At 23 years of age he has time on his side when it comes to improving and growing as a player, and the fact that someone like Mikel, who has been there and done it, believes he can make it to the top should give him great confidence.

Watch the video below to see the most insane overhead kick you will see this week...