What ex-Nottingham Forest man Ian Bennett has told Middlesbrough's goalkeepers Aynsley Pears and Dejan Stojanovic

Bennett, who had spells at Birmingham City, Huddersfield Town and Leeds United as a player, joined Boro’s coaching staff earlier this month after holding a similar position at Nottingham Forest.

Following the appointment of Neil Warnock last season, both Dejan Stojanovic and Aynsley Pears received game time between the sticks, while Tomas Mejias and youngster Sol Brynn have provided competition in training.

When asked about Boro’s goalkeepers and what Warnock wants from them, Bennett told the club’s website: “I sat them down, we had a little chat and I said just impress, that’s what he wants to see.

“It’s a fresh start, you never know what happens season to season, manager to manager so it’s a completely fresh start.

“All I said is we’re going to work as a group, we’re going to enjoy it, we’re going to help each other and that’s what you want the camaraderie because we’ll probably see each other more than anyone else.”

Bennett only joined the Teessiders less than a week ago after replacing Danny Coyne in the role.

Yet the former Forest man has been impressed by the standards which Warnock has set in training, with the start of Boro’s 2020/21 campaign just two weeks away.

"It’s been good, it’s been hard, and there’s plenty to take in in the first few days," added Bennett.

"But the goalkeepers have worked really well. I know the standards Neil and his coaching staff set and I know what he wants off players having been that side of things.

"He’ll work them intensely and make sure they are ready for the season."

He added: "It’s a fantastic club to come to, and one that I’m looking forward to being part of the plan.

"We know what everyone associated with Middlesbrough wants - and if we set the standards high then hopefully we can achieve that."

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