Middlesbrough midfielder Jonny Howson has praised goalkeeper Sol Brynn and said he will go “a long way in the game”.
Brynn was picked ahead of usual number one Seny Dieng for the 1-0 win against Millwall on Saturday and kept his first Championship clean sheet for the club.
The 24-year-old played a key part in the victory, producing two important one-on-one saves from Macaulay Langstaff and Femi Azeez in the first half.
Howson, who has been with Boro since 2017, said he is “a massive fan” of Brynn.
“He’s someone that I’ve been aware of. I think he’s got two player of the season awards at previous clubs, so I always look at that,” the experienced 36-year-old told BBC Radio Tees.
“That is some going for a young goalkeeper, so he’s got something about him. I’ve been impressed with him in training.”
Brynn spent last season on loan at Leyton Orient and was named the supporters’ club away player of the year after making 42 League One appearances and keeping 13 clean sheets.
He was also a narrow second to Frazer Blake-Tracy for player of the season while on loan at Swindon Town the previous campaign, playing every game in League Two and recording 13 shutouts.
Brynn, who is a Boro youth academy product, made his Championship debut in the 6-2 win at Oxford, as well as playing in a 1-0 defeat at home to Blackburn and 3-1 victory over Hull City while Dieng was out with an injury last month.
But Saturday’s game against the Lions was the first time Brynn has started ahead of Dieng, with the Senegal international dropped to the bench.
“In football, sometimes you might get half a chance for whatever reason and you’ve got to be able to take them,” Howson added.
“I think he’s done terrifically for the games that he’s played. If he carries on going the way he’s going with, let’s be honest a fair few young lads we’ve got here, they’ll have very bright futures in the game.
“If they keep that focus and keep doing what they’re doing, they’ll go a long way in the game.”
‘A good goalkeeper, and a good step’ – Carrick
Boro head coach Michael Carrick was also pleased with Brynn, who he said made “two big saves in the first half early on”.
“We’re in a position where we’ve got those decisions to make,” Carrick told BBC Radio Tees on why he chose Brynn ahead of Dieng.
“We’ve got good players and we change things around at times. Sol played three games and did ever so well and we just felt that was the decision to be made.
“He’s a good goalkeeper and he’s done well in the three games he’s played and it was a good step for him.”