Source: SKY_Sports
Southgate backing Alves
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is backing Brazilian striker Afonso Alves to find his scoring touch before the end of the season.
Alves arrived from Heerenveen for £12.5million just over a year ago, although his form in the Premier League has been nowhere near as prolific as his Eredivisie days.
Boro currently find themselves battling to save their top-flight lives, but despite the current pressure on his side, Southgate believes Alves will come to the fore.
"I think in terms of the number of goals he has been able to score, he'll be disappointed that he hasn't got as many as he might have done, because we have had some good chances," said Southgate.
"But I still believe he can score goals between now and the end of the season.
"As far as we are concerned we have got a squad of players that have got to keep us in this division. Everyone has got a key part to play in that.
"There is nothing to be said for any player with regard to the summer, until the summer.
"There'll always be speculation on all players - but it is just speculation.
"It is easy to highlight one or two players but you win and lose as a team. We have conceded too many goals and haven't scored enough."
Middlesbrough exited the FA Cup last time out following a 2-1 defeat to Everton, but Southgate insists he would have loved a trip to Wembley despite needing to focus his thoughts on top flight survival.
He added: "We wanted to stay in the cup. I'm not going to sit here and say I'm pleased it is out of the way.
"But the reality is we've got to try to keep this team in the Premier League.
"That was uppermost in the players' thoughts anyway, even while we were still in the cup.
"It is very clear now. We have got 10 games; five home, five away. Each one is one we can get something from."
