Southgate maintains transfer stance

Gareth Southgate has reiterated his determination to keep his Middlesbrough squad intact ahead of the January transfer window opening.

The Boro boss is well aware that the vultures are circling the Riverside ahead of next month's transfer free-for-all as clubs look to bolster their side for a myriad of reasons going into the second half of the campaign. And, while cash for transfers is sparse for Southgate, he is adamant that he does not want to lose any of his current stars.

Tottenham are looking to sign Stewart Downing, while Tuncay Sanli, Gary O'Neil and Mido have all been mentioned as potential targets for rival Premier League clubs. However Southgate is not looking to offload anybody without a fight.

Speaking after the narrow 1-0 defeat at Manchester United on Monday, he told the Gazette: "We are not looking to sell during the January transfer window.

"We want to be a stable football club and we believe that the best policy, if we are to make progress, is to keep our best players.

"We know that there will be a lot of speculation and stories flying around over the next few weeks, most of them without any substance.

"It's important that we keep calm. We are not looking to lose our better players."