Our scout is a top football expert who attends matches each week searching for the next star. He’ll bring you his verdict in Sportsmail.

This week the man in the spotlight is Middlesbrough midfielder Lewis Wing.

WHAT’S HE GOT?

Having been introduced into a regimented Middlesbrough side this young man looks to have cemented a senior place.

Playing on the right side of three midfielders with a ‘sitter’ and wing-backs also in operation, he was in effect at times in centre field among four colleagues. 

This gave him regular opportunities to get on the ball and he stood out with composed, simple, safe and accurate passing. Energy is not a problem as he looks as though he can run all day and I was impressed with his work rate.

Lewis Wing has played a key role in Middlesbrough’s push for promotion this season

In the second half of a game I saw, he caught my eye when he ran beyond his wing-back out wide and took his marker with him, to leave space inside for his full back to play a pass. It was unselfish running off the ball to create passing opportunities for others. He also looked to break towards goal for a couple of efforts and although he did not score, one superb half-volley deserved better. What I also saw here was an eye to spot an early pass.

In one sharp movement he played one-touch passes three times in a quick passing move that he instigated. Physically he has no problem. He is athletic, tall and has the capacity to get around the field. He is prepared to challenge for possession and shows a team willingness and determination off the ball.

WHAT DOES HE NEED?

Playing further forward may bring him nearer the penalty box and help his goal tally. His previous background as a goalscorer in non-League for Seaham Red Star and Shildon suggests he can find the net.

It was difficult to see if he had a noticeable change of pace as here his team were in the ascendancy and dominated the ball, out-passing the opposition comfortably. It is for this reason that I would like to see Wing again, this time playing under pressure. 

Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis normally goes for a sensible, tough-to-beat philosophy with experienced players. Here, he has a youngster who looks as though he will make good progress under his tutelage.

Playing further forward may bring him nearer the penalty box and help his goal tally for Boro 

Napoli and Inter Milan encounter no issues as they both booked their places in the last 16 of the Europa League. 

Salzburg, Eintracht Frankfurt, Villarreal, Dinamo Zagreb, Zenit, Benfica, Kiev, Rennes, Krasnodar and Slavia Prague also all made it through on an action-packed Thursday night across Europe. 

After a 3-1 away win in Switzerland last week, Napoli easily advanced 5-1 on aggregate. 

Adam Ounas celebrates scoring Napoli’s second as they ease past Zurich on Thursday

Napoli coach Carlo Ancelotti made it two wins from his first two games in the Europa League with a 2-0 home victory over Zurich. 

Forwards Simone Verdi and Adam Ounas scored in each half at the Stadio San Paolo.  

Meanwhile, Inter advanced after eliminating Austrian club Rapid Vienna 5-0 on aggregate after winning the second leg 4-0 in Rome. 

The Algerian forward finishes past Yanick Brecher to score Napoli’s second of the night

Simone Verdi (No 9) broke the deadlock for the Serie A side at the San Paolo stadium in Naples

Dries Mertens can’t stop smiling as he applauds the fans after helping Napoli beat Zurich

Former champion Sevilla advanced after knocking out Lazio on Wednesday. 

After four consecutive draws in all competitions – including 2-2 at Shakhtar Donetsk last week in the first leg – Eintracht Frankfurt celebrated a 4-1 victory and advance 6-3 overall.

Forward Luka Jovic scored his sixth European League goal this season for a 1-0 lead in the 23rd. It was 2-0 just four minutes later after Sebastien Haller converted from the penalty spot. Haller added his second and substitute Ante Rebic also scored late in the game.   

Rennes made the next round 6-4 overall after a 3-1 away win at Real Betis.

Ivan Perisic helped Inter Milan overcome Rapid Vienna at the San Siro on Thursday evening

Slavia Prague knocked out Genk after coming from a goal down to win 4-1 in Belgium. The two drew 1-1 in the first leg in Prague.

Dynamo Kiev advanced with a 1-0 win at home over Olympiakos following a 2-2 draw in the first leg.

A scoreless draw with Galatasaray was enough for Benfica to get through due to a 2-1 away win in Turkey.

Russia’s Krasnodar advanced on the away goals rule after a 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen.

Patson Daka netted twice and Xaver Schlager and Munas Dabbur added one each for Salzburg to beat Club Brugge 4-0 and advance 5-2 on aggregate. 

Eintracht Frankfurt’s Sebastian Haller celebrates scoring his side’s second goal

Dinamo Zagreb routed Viktoria Plzen 3-0 for a result that overturned a 2-1 loss in the first leg.

Two goals from Sardar Azmoun helped Zenit St. Petersburg overcome Fenerbahce 3-1 to make it through 3-2 overall.

Pablo Fornals scored 10 minutes from time for Villarreal to draw 1-1 in the second leg against Sporting Lisbon, enough to advance after winning 1-0 in the first leg.

The draw for the last 16 is scheduled for Friday.