GIFTED left-sided player who has made a huge impression since breaking into the first team.

Stewart possesses a sweet left foot capable of unlocking defences at any level.

Made his long-awaited Boro debut in the 1-0 Premiership defeat at Ipswich Town in April 2002 and almost crowned a Man of the Match display with a late equaliser. Three days later he was handed his Riverside debut, replacing Benito Carbone at half-time in a 2-0 home defeat to Chelsea.

He has now established himself as a vital part of the Boro first team squad, weighing in with several vital goals. After one memorable performance, against Lazio in the 2004/05 UEFA Cup, legendary Portuguese defender Fernando Couto described Downing as a "sensational find". 

Born in Middlesbrough's Pallister Park, he has been with the club since school and is one of the brightest graduates of the Academy.

He made his England debut against Holland in 2005 but suffered a serious knee injury while on a US tour with the international squad in summer 2005.

However, he returned to action later in the season and produced a stunning performance in Boro's amazing Mission Impossible II comeback against Steaua Bucharest at the Riverside as he was involved in all four goals in a masterclass of wing play.

That display helped him earn an England recall for the 2006 World Cup in Germany where he made two appearances as a substitute.