Source: Northern_Echo
St Ledger on the way?
PRESTON North End expect Sean St Ledger to become a Middlesbrough player in the next few days, but Gareth Southgate insists that announcing the player’s arrival has not moved any closer.
Boro expected the loan deal, with a view to a permanent transfer in January, to go through last Friday but negotiations stalled.
There have been suggestions that an ankle problem suffered on international duty last week was the cause, although the clubs have also been trying to agree a fee.
The delay meant that St Ledger played in Preston’s 2- 0 win over Swansea on Saturday, after which he appeared to say farewell to the Deepdale supporters.
But Southgate said: “We are not closer to finalising any of the loans, just trying to make progress on a couple but I don’t want to deny players here the opportunity.”
However, his opposite number at Preston is resigned to losing St Ledger – even if it is not in time for him to make his Boro debut at Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow.
Preston boss Alan Irvine said: “We know that there is an interest from Middlesbrough and we know that their interest is quite strong.
Every player at this club will have his price, regardless of whether I want him to stay or whether the chairman and the board want him to stay.”
While Southgate is also looking to beat Newcastle to the signature of Hull striker Caleb Folan, defensive reinforcements are required.
Andrew Taylor has suffered ankle ligament damage and is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines and he joins Chris Riggott and Emanuel Pogatetz on the treatment table, just a fortnight after Robert Huth joined Stoke.
Southgate, however, is refusing to be downbeat, after Seb Hines slotted in to perform competently on his first league start.
He said: “It’s an exciting challenge for everyone here, we had a difficult year last year but this is an exciting challenge.
“There’ll be seven or eight teams who’re very strong and we have to keep that winning habit.”
Defeating Ipswich has left former Sunderland manager Roy Keane searching for his first win in six this season.
But Carlos Edwards, the £1.6m buy from the Black Cats on transfer deadline day, is convinced Keane will soon turn things around.
Edwards said: “It can be turned round, that year at Sunderland (2006-2007) proved that when Keane won the title.
“Individually, I’m not sure how the manager gets through it, that’s down to him, collectively we have to work with him because the finger is pointed at him.’’
