Stewart Downing is a Middlesbrough player born and bred and will remain so (at least until the summer).
But how does he feel about facing former teammate and fellow Academy graduate Lee Cattermole?
ComeOnBoro.com's Elle Brunton had a quick chat to the winger regarding the impending showdown.
EB: So Stewart, Wigan on Saturday. Mido and King can't play but it will be the first time Lee Cattermole has returned to the Riverside as a Wigan player. Do you think he will get a good reception?
SD: I think so, he didn't do anything wrong when he was here and he has said good things about the club.
It just wasn't working for him at the club. He needed to go and he's done really well at Wigan.
And he was popular, the fans liked him.
Diane O'Connell, Boro's Community Liaison Officer: And he was one of my best community players.
SD: And he was one of Di's best community players! laughs
To Di: Who is it now?
DOC: Who do you think?
SD: Wheats?
DOC: Of course. And Josh Walker, he's my new one.
EB: Yes, I asked [Walker] about that. Considering the amount of games he has played, he has done a hell of a lot of interviews and events. He just said he liked doing it.
SD: Like Wheater. If you told him there was an event in London in a few hours and he had to get himself there, he'd be straight on the nearest bus to London! He'll do anything.
But I hope Cattermole does get a good reception, I don't think there's a reason why he shouldn't. I'm not sure, what do you think?
EB: I think he should do, I hope so. The fans have been more positive recently at the Riverside in general.
DOC: I'm not sure, you know - they won't want him to have a good game.
SD: Well no, I don't want him to have a good game against us!
DOC: I don't think he'll have a very good game, I think it will be too much for him and he'll be too emotional.
SD: He'll probably clobber someone though - hope it's not me!
EB: Likelihood of him getting booked?
He was like that when we went down there, clobbered someone in the first few minutes! So he probably will get booked.
But we all do it.
EB: Against former teammates? Yes Taylor said that too.
Earlier you said you thought Robert Huth would make a good captain, but you have been captain yourself a couple of times. Is it something you enjoy doing?
SD: Yes, I think he would be. I know people make a big deal about being a captain but it's just the same really.
I guess maybe there is more pressure on the young players who are not playing as much - those who are not really in the team - but we have had quite a few leaders at the club. Luke Young, before he went, Gary O'Neil captained Portsmouth, Arca was a captain as well I think. so yeah, we do have a lot of leaders at the club.
Didier Digard could be a captain if his English gets even better.
Laughs then turns serious again. It doesn't matter who is captain at the end of the day, it is all about getting the points.
Thank you, that will do nicely, can I take a photograph please?
SD: Just of me? I don't like photos where I'm just standing there, I don't know what to do.
EB: Smile?
Now that Downing is off the mark and feeling confident again, Boro will benefit from the boy from Pallister Park's vision and natural ability. Meanwhile let's hope Cattermole has an off day on Saturday!
First published on www.ComeOnBoro.com on 21/2/2009
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