Middlesbrough

Downing sets Boro return target
Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing is aiming to be back for the start of the new Premiership season after undergoing knee surgery. He was injured in training with the England squad in the United States and flew home for an operation to remove part of a damaged knee cartilage. "I have had the cartilage shaved but it has all gone well," the 20-year-old told the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette. "I expect to be back training again in a month." Boss Steve McClaren will be keen to have Downing available for his starting line-up after admitting his surprise at the pace of the youngster's progress after breaking into the side last season. Downing's emergence was fortunate for McClaren, who lost Spain international Gaizka Mendieta when a knee ligament injury ended his season early.

Yakubu unwell with malaria again
Middlesbrough-bound striker Yakubu is suffering from malaria - a year after first contracting the disease. Yakubu, who will join Boro from Portsmouth in a £6m deal this month, has pulled out of Nigeria's World Cup qualifier with Rwanda. He said: "I have malaria. I have taken medication and feel better but I didn't want to disgrace myself and my country after the way I felt a few days ago. "It is a pity - I love playing for my country. I hope Nigerians understand." Yakubu had malaria just before the start of the 2002-03 season. It cost him a slow start to that campaign but he eventually scored 19 goals and steered Pompey well clear of relegation. While Boro are likely to be anxious about their new man's condition, Pompey are weighing up a move to replace him with Israeli striker Yaniv Katan.

Schwarzer hoping Zenden stays on
Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is hoping the club can agree a new deal with Holland winger Boudewijn Zenden. The 28-year-old, who is out of contract, has been linked with Liverpool, Newcastle, and Dutch sides PSV Eindhoven and AZ Alkmaar. "It would be very disappointing to lose him because he's been a fantastic acquisition for us," Schwarzer said. "Last season he was phenomenal and was our best player. He played just about every game so it would be a blow." Australian shot-stopper Schwarzer, who agreed a new three-year extension to his contract in January, says Zenden is right to take his time. But he hopes the former PSV, Barcelona and Chelsea star extends his stay on the Riverside. "It's a difficult position that Bolo is in. I was in that position myself not so long ago and it's hard," he added. "Obviously he's got to be happy, the club has to be happy, but hopefully they can come to an agreement because to replace him is going to cost a lot of money."

Middlesbrough move for Pogatetz
Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren is close to signing Bayer Leverkusen full-back Emanuel Pogatetz. McClaren is reported to have agreed a £2m deal for the 22-year-old, although he still needs to agree personal terms and pass a medical. Pogatetz spent much of last season on loan at Graz AK in Austria and is currently at Spartak Moscow in Russia. McClaren is keen to recruit Pogatetz as cover for French full-back Franck Queudrue in defence. He spent much of the last campaign attempting to plug gaps left by a series of injuries, and was indebted to the likes of veteran Colin Cooper and youngsters Tony McMahon, James Morrison and Danny Graham. Pogatetz would become the club's second signing of the summer, with Nigerian striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu due to complete his £7.5m switch from Portsmouth 1 July..

Downing stays here, says McClaren
Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren has denied reports that Stewart Downing could be lured away from the club. The 20-year-old's rapid rise to the top culminated in him winning his first England cap, and McClaren says there is no way he will be sold. "It's understandable he'll be linked with other clubs but I aim to keep our best players, and he's one of them," he told the club website. "He is a big part of my plans for next season and beyond." Last season Boro took part in their first European campaign and finished seventh in the table, with Downing one of their star players. Only injuries kept him out of England's end of season tour of America, and McClaren is keen to see more of the same form from the youngster next season. "He will be just as important for us again in the new season - more so if he continues to improve," said McClaren. "I have already set out the challenge for him to go and take the next steps. "It's another massive season for him, but he's got the ability to rise to it."

Downing committed to Boro cause
Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing insists he is committed to the club, despite speculation about his future. The 20-year-old's impressive form last season helped him win his first England cap and he has been linked with Tottenham and Manchester United. But he told the club's website: "The only thing I am thinking about is helping Boro have another great season. "I am committed to staying with Boro. I am a local lad and would not be interested in moving." He added: "I am having discussions over improving my contract. "These things obviously take a little bit of time but it is not about me wanting to leave. I love it here." Boro boss Steve McClaren is also determined to keep hold of the highly-rated Downing, who has emerged as a potential solution to England's problem on the left side of midfield. He said: "There is no way Stewart is for sale. He is a big part of my plans next season and beyond. "After the season he has had, it is understandable that he will be linked with other clubs but I aim to keep all our best players - and Stewart is clearly one of those." Last season Boro took part in their first European campaign and finished seventh in the table, with Downing one of their star players. Only a knee injury kept him out of England's end-of-season tour of America but he believes he and his team-mates can continue their progress next season. "There is no reason why we cannot push on for a Champions League place next season," insisted Downing. "By the sound of things, we have got some good players coming in so we will be stronger again." McClaren is expecting more big things from Downing and added: "He will be just as important for us again in the new season - more so if he continues to improve. "I have already set out the challenge for him to go and take the next steps. "It's another massive season for him but he's got the ability to rise to it."

Mendieta wants Uefa improvement
Middlesbrough striker Gaizka Mendieta has called on his side to better last season's performance in the Uefa Cup. Sporting Lisbon knocked out Steve McClaren's side 4-2 on aggregate in the last 16 of the competition last season. "It's important every season to do a bit better than the season before," the 31-year-old told Boro's website. "We're doing that, so I'm happy with the way life is going with the Boro. I think we have a big chance of going further next season." The Spaniard said he saw no reason why the club could not progress to the end of the competition. "We have seen teams reach the semis and the final who are not better than Boro," he said.

McClaren shakes hands on new deal
Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson has revealed boss Steve McClaren has agreed to sign a new deal with the club. McClaren has been linked as the future England or Manchester United manager but insists he wants to stay at Boro. "We have never made any secret of our ambitions and Steve McClaren has played an important part role in helping to take the club forward," said Gibson. "He has the same role to play in our greater success so I'm pleased we have shaken hands on a deal." McClaren, who has a year to run on his current contract, recently stated talks would not include him asking for a get-out clause. "I would never negotiate a contract with a get-out clause," he told the Boro website. "It's not necessary. "People talked about my ambition. They were false in thinking it lies with England or another club." He added: "They said my only ambition was to be somewhere else. They got that totally wrong. "The most important thing I have to do is be successful here. One bad season and you're out of the reckoning. The pressure is on me achieving here. "This is starting to feel like my club. It's getting better each year. I have been in management for four years so it's still very early for me. I'm still learning, still improving, still tweaking my philosophy. "The chairman has allowed me the freedom to make mistakes, to get things wrong. He has been patient with me. I feel comfortable at this club." Boro drew with Manchester City on the last day of the season to book a spot in the Uefa Cup after McClaren led the Teesside club to seventh in the Premiership. And on negotiations about a new contract, McClaren said: "There is a willingness on both sides to extend the current contract, which only has a year to run. "We spoke on Monday and we are speaking again at the end of the week, so negotiations are ongoing and I expect things to move forward on Friday."

Viduka sets sights on World Cup
Australia international striker Mark Viduka has cited qualifying for next year's World Cup as a huge motivation within his country's squad. Australia must beat the Soloman Islands before a two-game play-off against the fifth-placed team in the South American qualifying group to reach Germany 2006. "Making the World Cup with Australia is probably my biggest goal for now," said the 29-year-old Middlesbrough forward. "I think a lot of us are realising that this is our last shot at it." Viduka is currently in Germany with the Australia team contesting the Confederations Cup. He added: "Everybody who has had experience of the last two campaigns is desperate to make it. "Now we have got a lot of younger players who have got a lot of experience playing at the highest level."

Boro close in on Pogatetz signing
Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson says the club is closing in on Bayer Leverkusen's Emanuel Pogatetz. The 22-year-old Austrian left-back is understood to be due to arrive on Teesside this week to discuss a move, believed to be in the region of £2m. Pogatetz spent much of last season on loan at Graz AK in Austria and is currently at Spartak Moscow in Russia. "I do not think it is any secret that we are close to finalising a deal for Pogatetz," said chairman Steve Gibson. "We think he will strengthen the squad and there are a few details to sort out." Boro boss Steve McClaren is keen to recruit Pogatetz as cover for French full-back Franck Queudrue in defence. He spent much of the last campaign attempting to plug gaps left by a series of injuries and was indebted to the likes of veteran Colin Cooper and youngsters Tony McMahon, James Morrison and Danny Graham. Pogatetz would become the club's second signing of the summer, with Nigerian striker Yakubu due to complete his £7.5m switch from Portsmouth on 1 July. Boro are also reportedly interested in Juventus' Ghanaian midfielder Stephen Appiah.

Middlesbrough target striker sale
Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson has admitted that the club will have to sell some of their strikers. The arrival of Yakubu from Portsmouth means Boro have eight strikers to pick from and Gibson says that is too many. "Footballers want to play so it will be difficult to keep them all happy, you can have too big a squad," said Gibson. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Mark Viduka, Joseph Job, Malcolm Christie, David Graham, Massimo Maccarone and Szilard Nemeth are the club's other forwards. Meanwhile, Gibson says he cannot wait to see Yakubu in a Middlesbrough shirt when the new season starts. He added: "Every time Yakubu has played against us, he has tortured us. "I don't think the conditions at Portsmouth were particularly conducive to him having a fantastic season there last year but he still finished as one of the Premiership's top scorers. "With our coaching staff, the players he will have around him and our training facilities, we think we can bring the best out of him. "So we are very excited. We think he has all the ingredients of a top Premiership goalscorer."

Middlesbrough seal Pogatetz deal
Middlesbrough have completed the signing of Bayer Leverkusen defender Emanuel Pogatetz on a five-year deal. The 22-year-old passed a medical on Monday ahead of sealing the move for a fee that could rise to £1.8m. "A dream is coming true. I have wanted to play in the Premier League since I was a young boy," Pogatetz told Middlesbrough's official website. "But Boro was always the club I wanted to join. Having played against them in the Uefa Cup, I was very impressed." Pogatetz spent much of last season on loan at Graz AK in Austria and is currently at Spartak Moscow in Russia. Boro boss Steve McClaren is keen to recruit Pogatetz as cover for French full-back Franck Queudrue in defence. "Emanuel played against Middlesbrough for Grazer in the two legs of our Uefa Cup tie in February. He stood out and impressed us in both games," he said. "But I knew about him before that. I first came across him in my role as England coach when he was playing for Austria. "I saw him a few times while preparing for our World cup game and could see he was a fine player." The Austrian says he believes the future is bright at the Riverside. "I want to help Middlesbrough qualify for the Uefa Cup again, but I think it is possible that we can better that position," he said. "I know that a club like this has to improve every year and I think I can help Middlesbrough do really well next season." Pogatetz is the club's second signing of the summer, with Nigerian striker Yakubu due to complete his £7.5m switch from Portsmouth on 1 July. Boro are also reportedly interested in Juventus' Ghanaian midfielder Stephen Appiah.

Boro line up rematch with Lisbon
Middlesbrough will have a chance to gain revenge over Uefa Cup conquerors Sporting Lisbon before next season. The Portuguese side host the Teessiders in Portimao on the Algarve on 29 July as part of a four-team tournament. Sporting defeated Boro in the last 16 then knocked out neighbours Newcastle in the quarter-finals last season. The winners of the match play either Spain's Real Betis or Portugal's Vitoria Setubal in Faro on 30 July with the losers playing before the final. Boro trailed 3-0 to Sporting at the Riverside Stadium before two late goals gave them a lifeline when they headed for the Jose Alvalade Stadium, where they were lost 1-0 after missing a series of excellent chances.

Boro signing Pogatetz faces ban
Middlesbrough have been stunned by the possibility of new signing Emanuel Pogatetz being banned for six months. Pogatetz, 22, has been given a 24-week ban by the Russian Football Association for a tackle in the final game of a loan spell with Spartak Moscow. The tackle broke the leg of a Shinnik Yaroslavl player and if the ban is included in the transfer paperwork, the English FA will have to enforce it. Pogatetz told a radio station: "I can't believe the consequences are so tough." The Austrian will officially become a Boro player on Friday when a move, which could be worth £1.8m, from Bayer Leverkusen is completed. He added: "It was not such a bad foul. I am of course sorry that the guy is hurt, but I did not tackle him from behind."

View Full Version: Middlesbrough