Source: SKY_Sports
Southgate rues Downing blow
Gareth Southgate insists Stewart Downing's injury is bad news for Middlesbrough, even if it keeps him at the club.
The England international is set to miss Boro's final game of the 2008/09 campaign against West Ham on Sunday after undergoing surgery to repair a broken bone in his right foot.
His absence for the trip to Upton Park has come as a major blow to the Teessiders, who need a last-day miracle in the capital to avoid relegation to the Championship.
Seemingly destined to be plying their trade in the second tier next season, Downing was expected to be one of those heading out of The Riverside Stadium this summer.
His current injury problems have made that less of a certainty, with clubs unlikely to spend big on a player that is sidelined, and Southgate accepts the winger may still be on his books at the start of the 2009/10 campaign.
"Possibly, depending on time-scale," he said.
Motivated
"But if he is here, it probably means he won't be available for the early part of the season anyway, so it is a bit of a double-edged sword.
"I guess we have just got to see how things progress.
"Even after the operation, a player who is highly motivated like Stewart and has a real desire to get back as quickly as possible will always get back quicker than players of a different mentality."
While Downing's future remains uncertain, Southgate has vowed to make sweeping changes to his squad during pre-season.
He said: "Having had the experiences we have had this season, both in terms of results and issues, it would be folly to not make wholesale changes.
"But that's for the summer."
Inspiration
Southgate will also be hoping to win back the support of those fans who booed him during Middlesbrough's final home game of the season against Aston Villa last week.
He said: "I was conscious that might happen, but it wasn't going to deter me from going on to the field.
"I have had eight years here, player and manager, and the relationship with the fans as a player was very, very special.
"When you become the manager, you put that relationship in jeopardy. But I am big enough to cope with that. I am also experienced enough to know that if we can turn results around, short and long term, then that can change back.
"You get used to dealing with setbacks, but if you want to achieve in life, you don't let those setbacks stop you. You make sure you learn from them, but that they are an inspiration to get going again.
"That's how I have always viewed any knock in my career."
