Boro in fight to keep O'Neil

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate is adamant that Gary O'Neil has a big part to play in the club's future.

The 24-year-old moved to Teesside from Portsmouth for £5million last August but has reportedly found it difficult to settle in the north-east.

When asked about the former England Under-21 international's future, Southgate told the Evening Gazette: "Until I've spoken to Gary about it I don't know how much is based on fact.

"I think certainly there has been a little problem with him settling off the field, but whether that problem is still there or it's something that we can deal with we'll have to see over the next couple of months.

"He certainly won't walk out the door without a fight from our end. I think he's done a fantastic job on the right-hand side this year.

"I think there's more to come from him and obviously the first thing he's got to do is get over the injury."

O'Neil has made 29 appearances for Boro this season but is currently sidelined with a knee ligament injury.