Davies seals Boro departure
10 Oct 2007 - 11:26:39
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has wished defender Andrew Davies all the best after he left the club to join Southampton on a three-month loan deal.
The 22-year-old England Under-21 international is keen to gain regular first-team action and will complete a permanent switch to the Saints in the January transfer window if things go to plan.
Southgate told the club's official website: "From my perspective Andrew has been terrific since I became manager and has given wholehearted performances every time he has played.
"He expressed a wish for first-team football which is not something that I could guarantee him at this time. We wish him the best of luck with Southampton."
Meanwhile, Southgate has stressed that winger Adam Johnson will be returning to the Riverside at the end of his loan stint with Championship high-flyers Watford.
He added: "We have to take the long-term view of it and we knew when we sent him away we might be short of numbers at some point, but Stewart Downing is playing well and we're okay in wide areas.
"Long-term it would be of more benefit for him to gain the experience he's getting.
"We've sent him down there because he's very much part of our future."