Exclusive: Dejan Stojanovic discusses difficult Middlesbrough start and why he's playing for under-23 side

The 26-year-old stopper was a regular starter for top-flight Swiss side St Gallen before moving to Teesside in January.

Boro paid a reported £1million for Stojanovic but the keeper hasn’t even started on the bench since his arrival.

Instead, the Austrian-born Macedonian has asked to play for Boro’s under-23 side to try and stay sharp.

“I think the important thing is the under-23s gives me the chance to do my games,” Stojanovic told the Mail following Friday’s defeat to Newcastle Under-23s.

“I need to get my games while I’m out and I’m really thankful to the gaffer and the 23s to give me that chance.”

Stojanovic is naturally disappointed he’s not been in the first-team squad but says everyone at Rockliffe has helped him settle.

“Everyone has helped me to do the best,” he added. “It’s a little bit difficult when you are out of the squad but I continue to do my best to try and get in the first-team squad.

“I was playing professional football and came here to play with young players in a young league. I came here because I was playing games but now I’m not in the squad.

“I’d like to play for the first team like everybody, I’d like to help them because we are in a difficult situation and I will do my best to fit in.”

Stojanovic has found himself behind Aynsley Pears and Tomas Mejias in the battle for the No 1 jersey on Teesside, but says the competition is healthy.

The 26-year-old has also been impressed with Boro’s training regime as he continues to work with goalkeeping coach Danny Coyne.

“Up until now everything is good, we push together. Peary is doing a good job and we are trying to do our best,” said Stojanovic when asked about working with the club’s other keepers.

“I like the training, I feel much better now. It’s been tough training and we can improve a lot I think.”