Middlesbrough v Norwich: Reach is rewarded with new contract at Boro

The Chester-le-Street born player has signed a four-and-a-half year contract, keeping him at the Riverside Stadium until 2019, further adding to Boro’s buoyancy ahead of back-to-back home matches, starting with the arrival of Norwich City tonight.

Reach, 21, whose form this season had drawn interest from top-flight clubs, has credited character-building loan spells at Bradford City and Shrewsbury Town as being influential factors in his upturn.

His form has been monitored by former Boro manager and England Under-21 head coach Gareth Southgate, and Reach said: “I am very pleased to have signed the contract and got it over and done with.

“It has come in a nice week after the Rotherham game on Saturday, sandwiched between the Norwich game, so things are going well at the minute.

“It has been a good season for me personally, but for the team too, which is good. I have been making a lot of appearances and starts.

“I have been putting in some good performances, so it’s onwards and upwards and this contract is a bit of a weight off my shoulders but also a reward for doing well. Hopefully I can kick on.”

He added: “I am 21 now, turning 22, and those two loan spells were vital for me.

“At Boro, you could play a few games then get taken out, so I think the loan moves were good just to get momentum and get used to playing week-in, week-out and that has suited me well this season.

“You have to make the most of the loan spells because young players don’t always want to move away from home and their familiar surroundings.

“It is hard to begin with, but six months down the line you look back and think you should have done it sooner.”

Albert Adomah could return to Boro’s starting line-up after missing the 3-0 weekend win at the New York Stadium through sickness.

Huddersfield-born striker and top-scorer Cameron Jerome (knee) is fit for the visitors.

Last six games: Middlesbrough DWWLDW, Norwich City LDLDDW.

Referee: N Miller (Co Durham).

Last time: Middlesbrough 1 Norwich City 1; January 3, 2011; Championship.