Toon Old Boys Available?
Last updated : 19 April 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor
Roeder hoped one, or both, would return to patch up a defence that needed an overhaul. And now both could be available this summer.
Gareth Southgate hopes Jonathan Woodgate will want to stay at Middlesbrough after his season-long loan from Real Madrid, but it is thought Woody is has bigger fish to fry.
Woodgate was outstanding as Boro staged a rearguard action against Liverpool at Anfield before losing 2-0 on Wednesday.
Woodgate's future is in doubt, and boss Southgate admits: "We can only do what we have been doing all season with him. He was excellent against Liverpool and he has enjoyed working with us.
"But he knows the situation, we are not one of the top four and we do not have the resources to compete with those teams. But there will be a lot of change at Middlesbrough in the summer and we hope he wants to be a part of that.
"We speak all the time, and he needs time to think about things. At the moment we are in the middle of a busy period of matches and everyone wants to focus on that, the other side of things will take care of itself."
Meanwhile Stuart Pearce is set for key talks with Sylvain Distin in a bid to keep him at Manchester City.
Distin's contract expires in the summer but the City boss is hopeful he will
stay at Eastlands.
The defender has been linked with several Premiership clubs, including Newcastle.
Pearce: "We will talk to Sylvain's representatives tomorrow (Friday) and I am optimistic because we have a great product at Manchester City."