Southgate: Duo staying put
15 Jan 2007 - 07:19:23
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate insists coveted duo Stewart Downing and Mark Viduka will remain at the Riverside Stadium.
Winger Downing has been linked with an exit after forcing his way into England's World Cup squad in the summer.
Meanwhile, Southgate has revealed that Viduka - who is out of contract in the summer - has been the subject of much interest but he wants the Australia striker to stay with the Teessiders.
"When there was talk about it in the summer, Stewart said to me he was more than happy where he is, enjoying his football," said the Boro chief.
"He is ambitious, but he wants to achieve those ambitions with us."
On the future of Viduka, he added: "We have had enquiries and tentative verbal offers, but there has never been anything concrete and we have not welcomed the approaches.
"Mark is an enormous player for us and I want him to be here not just at the end of this season but beyond that. He is a class act."
