Thursday May 15 2008 17:24
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate has distanced himself from rumours linking the club with a summer swoop for
Newcastle United striker Alan Smith.
Reports earlier in the week suggested the 27-year-old former Leeds and Manchester United star would be heading to Teesside in readiness for next season, but Southgate has cooled such talk.
He told Boro's official website: "My view of Alan Smith is he's a striker and we're quite happy with the strikers we've got.
"I wouldn't foresee bringing in another striker this summer."
Boro already have four senior forwards - Tuncay, Alfonso Alves, Jeremie Aliadiere and Mido - on their books.
Smith struggled on Tyneside in the season just ended following last summer's £6million switch Manchester United.
He has failed to find the net in 37 appearances for the Magpies and was a peripheral figure in the last two months of the campaign.
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