GS On Stewy Rumours

DESPITE newspaper speculation, no clubs have contacted Boro to inquire about England winger Stewart Downing - but there has been an offer for another young star.

Liverpool and Aston Villa have both been credited with an interest in Downing, who turns 24 next week, but Gareth Southgate has not yet had the opportunity to give a personal response to any suitors.

"Stewart Downing is not for sale, simple as that," said Southgate. "We get calls from lots of clubs about players but we haven't had any about Stewart so it surprises me when there's all the speculation.

"If people are interested in buying him, it would be nice if they made contact with us and we could tell them to their face he's not for sale.

"But that's part of the summer merry-go-round and I tell the players as long as they concentrate on fact - because I'm very honest with them - then there's no problem.

"There might be more comings and goings but it will only be deals that are right for the club and which we think are the right value."


There has, however, been a bid for England U21 midfielder Lee Cattermole, although no deal appears to be imminent.

"We have had interest in Lee, along with a couple of other of our young players," said Southgate.

"There's been a lot of loan interest and there has been a tentative offer, but that's as far as it's gone at this moment in time."

Lee Cattermole - Photo-Martyn Harrison Blades Sports Photography

Cattermole is one of the players expected to battle it out for the midfield berth vacated by former skipper George Boateng, who joined Premier League new boys Hull City this week.

Southgate said the 32-year-old Dutch international's departure was in part instigated by his reaction to a new approach to team selection.

"I think George was frustrated that he wasn't an automatic choice last season but as the manager I felt the culture of the club in terms of that sort of issue needed to change," he said.

"We need competition for place and maybe people who've been here for a while found that difficult to deal with

"When I was here, even if I played badly I was always in the team and I don't think that was a healthy situation for me.

"That is an aspect that's changed over the last six months and will be in place this season. People have to perform otherwise they won't play."

good lad stuey love seeing the homegrown talent in the premier =)