David Wheater has been warned by Middlesbrough manager Gordon Strachan to concentrate on his football after taking the club captaincy from him.

The 22-year-old was on the verge of earning his first England cap last year, but his recent poor form prompted Strachan to hand the captain's armband to Gary O'Neil for Saturday's game against Nottingham Forest.

Strachan said: "David is a young player who needs to concentrate on developing his football.

"Gary has a lot of football under his belt and he knows the game.

"I also like the idea of having a captain in midfield where he is in a better position to direct things around the pitch."