The Boro keeper has been forced to sit on the sidelines for the last 15 matches with Boro preferring Danny Coyne between the sticks.

However, the Teesiders decided to recall the Australian custodian for the Championship clash with Reading at the weekend, with fellow World Cup hopeful Adam Federici between the posts for the Royals, and Jones was picked out for mention by coach Colin Cooper.

"It's not easy when you're getting a bit of stick from the fans at home, but they've got absolutely no reason to give Brad stick after that performance," Cooper told the Northern Echo.

"I thought he commanded his area really well and made a couple of vital saves, one in each half. I think the gaffer just wanted to freshen things up a bit. Danny has come in and done very well this season, but we know what Brad can do and I thought he came in and did it superbly."

While Mark Schwarzer is the clear number one for the World Cup there is still plenty of debate over which keepers Pim Verbeek should take as back up.

Jones and Federici face a fight with the likes of Michael Petkovic, Ante Covic, Eugene Galekovic, Danny Vukovic and Clint Bolton to make the squad for South Africa.