sport

SOUTHGATE EAGER TO KEEP MIDO

Mido - good early-season form.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate admits Mido is giving him a selection headache and has urged the striker to stick with the club.

After scoring from the bench in the first two games of the season, Mido struck his third of the campaign after starting last night's 5-1 Carling Cup rout of Yeovil.

The Egypt striker is thought to be unhappy with his lack of starts and has been linked with a loan move to Wigan but Southgate wants him to stay and fight for a place.

The 25-year-old, who has had spells at Ajax, Marseille, Roma and Tottenham in an unsettled career, faces competition from Afonso Alves, Tuncay Sanli and Marvin Emnes at the Riverside Stadium.

Southgate said: "I think the reason he joined us is because he believes in what we are trying to do here and I do think he can still play a big part in that.

"He is a talent and you want all of your players to fulfil the talent they have and I think he can do that for us.

"It's time he had a more settled period in his career and was at a club for a bit longer and if we can take this to where I believe we can I think he'll enjoy it.

"I have said to him I want him to be part of this football club.

"I can understand he'll want to play - he'll be causing me a headache in terms of selection.

"At the start of the season it was easy because he hadn't had pre-season matches but now he is getting up to full fitness and scoring goals. That gives me a problem.

"He knows how I feel about him and what I want from him.

"As far as I am concerned, it is doubtful I will add to the squad before next Monday and I certainly don't intend to be losing any players from that squad.

"He enjoys it here. The only thing is he wants first-team football and he wants to be first choice. He is also aware no club can guarantee him that situation.

"His attitude to not starting has been first class.

"He has had a big impact from the bench and I think he is pushing hard to get in that starting line-up."

The only area Southgate claims he may look to strengthen before next week's transfer deadline is the goalkeeping department.

Ross Turnbull continued against Yeovil after Brad Jones dislocated a finger in the warm-up prior to last Saturday's game at Liverpool.

Boro lost Australian veteran Mark Schwarzer on a free transfer to Fulham over the summer.

Southgate said: "It is the one thing we might have to think about but it would be a case of looking for cover because the great thing in the first two games is our two have shown they can play at this level."

Another player Southgate is adamant will not be leaving is winger Stewart Downing, who despite signing a new deal earlier this year, continues to be linked with moves elsewhere.

Liverpool are one club thought to have been interested but no firm approaches have been made for the 24-year-old England international.

"I keep reading it but the sands of time are running out and there is no approach," Southgate said.

"Clubs know we have no interest in doing any business there, so I presume that's why they haven't bothered.

"Obviously it would appeal to many but he is not available. It's very straightforward."