Southgate reveals Tottenham approach

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate has confirmed Tottenham have "expressed an interest" in signing winger Stewart Downing.

White Hart Lane boss Harry Redknapp has made no secret of his wish to sign a left-sided midfielder but Southgate has stressed he has no desire to sell his star asset.

"Spurs have expressed an interest in Stewart but we're not interested in selling him," Southgate said. "We think we need to keep hold of our best players.

"If Tottenham are really interested then they have not shown that in the way they have approached it, so there's nothing doing there.

"We feel that keeping the squad we have together is the most important thing we can do."

After discussing the matter with the 24-year-old England international, Southgate feels Downing wants to stay on Teesside.

He added: "What I've said to Stewart is that I don't think now would be a good time for him to be seen to be leaving this football club and I think he's in agreement with that."