Boro stars to stay put

Despite failing to make the play-offs, there will not be a mass player exodus at Middlesbrough, according to boss Tony Mowbray.

A 2-1 defeat at Watford last week put an end to Boro's slim hopes of making the top six, and with it a place in the play-offs. However, manager Mowbray has assured disgruntled fans that they will not see the back of the likes of Marvin Emnes and other key players. "We are in a position where anyone we want to keep, we keep. We don't have to fight off any bids for players, if we want to keep them we keep them, but there will be some players we feel we can utilise the funds from through salary or sale." Barry Robson leaves for Canadian side Vancouver Whitecaps this summer, but apart from him it could be largely the same squad for the restart next August. Mowbray added: "We have to keep the core of the team that showed they can compete at the top end of the Championship, but we also have to do some wheeling and dealing, we have to find some new players that can impact on the team."