Lamb eyes Downing boost
09 Jun 2009 - 16:38:43
Middlesbrough chief executive Keith Lamb is upbeat about the prospect of England international Stewart Downing starting next season at the Riverside.
The 24-year-old is currently sidelined by a foot injury and may not have recovered in time to leave the relegated Teessiders before the transfer window shuts at the end of August.
Lamb told the Evening Gazette: "The strategy has always been that if the right club comes in for Stewart and it's right for Middlesbrough, then we will let him leave.
"Because of the nature of the injury that Stewart has sustained, we will have to see if and when that happens.
"The extent of his injury suggests that we will have to wait, but if Stewart is still here in September, then we will be delighted.
"We don't know how long he will be out, but I believe that he will overcome the injury reasonably quickly.
"It means that we will have him playing for us in the Championship, terrorising defences, that's got to be a good thing for Middlesbrough.
"If it goes to January when the next transfer window opens, then we will have to wait and see what happens. In making any decisions, we will put Stewart first."