Middlesbrough Football Club News

• Nickname:Boro
• Founded:1876
• Manager:Tony Mowbray

• Ground:Riverside Stadium
• Capacity:35,049

Southgate stands by Huth

08 Jun 2008 - 14:53:13

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Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate is backing central defender Robert Huth to overcome his injury problems and be a major player at the Riverside next term.

The 23-year-old Germany international has made just 30 appearances in two seasons with Boro, but Southgate is confident that Huth will prove his worth.

He said: "He'll be fit for the start of pre-season and hopefully we can bring him through at the right speed and he can play a bigger part next year.

"For Robert, it's important he gets a full pre-season. Obviously we've seen this season what an influential player he can be for us, so I hope for him and for us he can stay injury-free."

Meanwhile, Boro coach Colin Cooper remains hopeful that midfielder Gary O'Neil will stay with Boro, despite having been linked with a summer move away from Teesside.

He told the Sunday Sun: "If your heart and soul aren't 100 per cent in it it's difficult to move forward.

"You want players who want to be here and Gary's said nothing to me to suggest he doesn't want to be here."