STEELE’S OLYMPIC DREAM

By Martin Walker

Newtonian Jason Steele says he’d be “honoured” to represent Team GB at this summer’s Olympic Games.

The Boro goalkeeper, who still lives in Aycliffe, was included in Stuart Pearce’s initial 80-man squad for the tournament.

But that list will be whittled down to 18 later this month.

And while Steele isn’t building his hopes up, he stands a good chance of making the final cut.

He’ll also be hoping to feature in England’s warm-up game against Brazil at Boro’s Riverside Stadium on 20th July before proudly representing Aycliffe in the Olympics.

“Of course I would be delighted to be involved in that game, it would be an honour to be part of Team GB,” Steele told the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette.

“I’m not getting my hopes up because there’s still an 80-man squad.”

The Brazil game comes almost exactly one year since Steele broke a scaphoid bone in his wrist in training and was sidelined for almost three months as a result.

Once he came back into the team though, he only missed two further Championship fixtures and regained his place in the England Under-21 squad.

He was also voted Middlesbrough Official Supporters’ Club Young Player of the Year at a dinner late last month.

“It’s been turbulent, it’s been an up and down year,” said Steele.

“It started with an injury, but I played quite a few games since the injury and we did better than expected.

“As a team we were ever so good up to New Year’s Day but after that we didn’t win enough games. Our away form was good and that kept us in the race.”

Referring to his supporters’ club award, Steele added: “The support that I’ve had has been excellent and I can only thank the fans for that because it means a lot and it doesn’t half help. I was privileged and honoured to win the award.”