Tony Pulis issues warning to Dael Fry

The Middlesbrough manager was responding to the reported interest of several Premier League clubs in Boro defender Dael Fry.

Although he is in-form and improving every day, Dael Fry needs to stay at Middlesbrough FC if he is to continue his impressive development, according to Tony Pulis.

Fry, who has featured intermittently for Boro in the past couple of seasons, has really come of age this season to help turn Boro into one of the meanest defences in the Championship.

Apart from starring in his traditional role at centre-back, Fry has been a revelation at right-back, where he is deputising for the injured Ryan Shotton.

His remarkable performances haven’t gone unnoticed, though, with the likes of Liverpool, Tottenham, and Chelsea reportedly eyeing a move for the 21-year-old.

However, as far as his manager Tony Pulis is concerned, the youngster needs to keep his feet on the ground and be patient.

"I've worked in the Premiership and Dael is not ready yet," was Pulis' candid assessment.

"He's quick, he's strong. The problem with Dael, if you look, is the number of games he's played compared to what he should have played. It's the same with Tav and Wingy. I know Wingy went to Yeovil last year and they did a fantastic job with him.”

"We've got some good kids here and they'll have their chances."

Boro’s youngsters have been getting their fair share of chances this season – and they are taking it with both hands when ever given the opportunity.

Apart from Fry, the likes of Lewis Wing and Marcus Tavernier have both impressed Boro fans with their performances this term.

While Fry is set to remain at Boro at least until the end of this season, nothing could be said with certainty about the immediate future of the other two players. For, a large number of clubs would jump at the chance of signing either Tavernier or Wing on loan in January.

Still, as far as Pulis is concerned, all three of them need to stay put at Middlesbrough if they want more game time.

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"We have to be careful with Tav, Wingy, and Dael, they're all young, they haven’t played as much football" said Pulis.

"Our kids haven't played as much as they should have, we have to be careful, but they're good players and they can be good players for this football club."