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Interviewing Grant Leadbitter on the day his contract extension was announced in December, I happened to mention in a question that he was the captain.

Quick as a flash he stopped me in my tracks and rightly reminded me that Jonathan Woodgate is the skipper.

Fast forward to the home game with Ipswich last weekend and, as Woodgate ran onto the pitch to replace the injured Dani Ayala, Leadbitter made a beeline for the defender and handed him the captain's armband.

All of which is a long-winded way of stressing the incredibly high regard the Boro players hold for Woodgate – and Leadbitter's creditable lack of ego.

That he's been a magnificent player is not in question.

That he's still an outstanding player has been confirmed over recent weeks.

I'm prepared to claim that in terms of natural talent Woodgate is the best defender of his generation. Period.

His reading of the game and timing of his tackles is second to none.

(Image: Action Images)

If he'd avoided the debilitating injuries – and occasional wrong turn – he would have more than 100 caps to his name and be mentioned in the same breath as Bobby Moore.

It could be argued that he's the most naturally talented player to come out of Teesside since the war.

Even now, with injuries limiting his availability and no doubt making each match a physically draining ordeal, he stands out from the crowd.

Against Blackpool, on a dreadful pitch, Woodgate was immaculate, and the 35-year-old was just as impressive against Ipswich and again on Tuesday, at Derby.

It's no coincidence that Boro won all three games and conceded just one goal.

Which begs the question: Should he start at Bournemouth?

(Image: Action Images / Andrew Boyers)

My answer would be why not? If he's fit and Aitor Karanka is confident the defender's legs won't give out, he should start.

There will be almost a two week lay-off after Saturday's game which leaves plenty of time for rest and recuperation ahead of the Easter double-header.

Another question is should Woodgate hang up his boots at the end of the season?

He'll be out of contract in the summer and has already been quoted as saying winning promotion with Boro would be a career highlight so going out on a high would be a fitting climax to his career.

But what if he continued working towards his coaching badges and also extended his playing contract for another year?

It might be a step to far for the veteran but he will be sorely tempted to test himself back in the Premier League.

Judging by recent performances, he would certainly hold his own. It would then be a question of staying fit.

Either way, his form over recent weeks has been a massive bonus for Boro and has contributed to the club's climb back into the top two. Long may it continue.