Last updated: 12:47, November 20, 2008
Middlesbrough news
Middlesbrough Football Club, also known as The Boro, are one of the three ‘North East giants’ of English football, alongside rivals Newcastle United and Sunderland.
The club are built on traditional lines and have long relied on locally produced talent to grace their famous red kit.
Wilf Mannion and George Hardwick were two pre-war stars while more recently Brian Clough, Gary Pallister and Stewart Downing have launched their careers at the club.
The Riverside Stadium is Middlesbrough’s third home since turning professional in 1899 after which they left Linthorpe Road for a 92-year stay at Ayresome Park.
Boro’s highest league finish was third place in 1913 while they have more recently tasted domestic success by winning the League Cup at Cardiff in 2005 under Steve McClaren.
The former England manager’s last match in charge before taking the national role was the 2006 Uefa Cup final where Middlesbrough lost 4-0 to Sevilla after an exciting run through to the showpiece.
Gareth Southgate took over from McClaren and has built an exciting young side which features Afonso Alves and David Wheater.
Didier Digard claims he has settled in at Middlesbrough and is looking forward to helping them secure a top-eight finish this season.
Stewart Downing produced a good display for England in the win in Germany, while Tuncay Sanli hit a hat-trick for Turkey in Austria.
Skipper Emanuel Pogatetz and defensive partner Chris Riggott are both racing to be fit for Middlesbrough's home clash against Bolton.
The agent of Egyptian striker Emad Meteb has denied speculation linking him with a move to Middlesbrough.
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is keeping his fingers crossed that both Jeremie Aliadiere and Mido will be fit to face Bolton.
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is being linked with a January move for Leeds striker Luciano Becchio and is ready to pay £2m.
Gareth Southgate offered special praise for Stewart Downing and Chris Riggott following Sunday's draw at Everton.
Mido has insisted he is happy to stay at Middlesbrough after speculation suggested he could be on the move to Wigan in January.
Yakubu ended his recent goal drought with an equaliser against his former club as Middlesbrough held Everton to an engrossing 1-1 draw.
Wigan are being linked with a £6million swoop for Middlesbrough striker Mido as doubts surround Emile Heskey's future.
Gareth Southgate has dismissed claims that Middlesbrough striker Mido has gone AWOL having picked up a hamstring injury.
Mido is battling to overcome his groin injury in a bid to feature in Middlesbrough's clash at Everton on Sunday.
Middlesbrough are keeping tabs on Deportivo La Coruna's Julian de Guzman and could make a move for the midfielder in January.
Middlesbrough's £4m summer signing from Paris St Germain, Didier Digard, is targeting a top half finish in the Premiership.
Assistant boss Malcolm Crosby has challenged defender David Wheater to force his way back into Middlesbrough's first team.
