Southgate satisfied if O’Neil decides to stay

11:05am Wednesday 9th July 2008

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GARETH Southgate has reiterated his desire to keep Gary O'Neil and the Middlesbrough manager will this week sit down with the midfielder to clarify his future.

Southgate revealed he has not spoken to O'Neil since the end of last season, but following comments from the player's agent at the weekend, insisting the 25-year-old was happy on Teesside, the Boro boss will seek clarification from the player.

It has been no secret that O'Neil has failed to settle in the North-East following his £5m move from Portsmouth in August last year.

And the recent £3.2m arrival of Marvin Emnes has further added to speculation O'Neil's Riverside days were numbered.

However, O'Neil's agent, John Mac, stated: "I'm aware there were stories about him being unsettled at Middlesbrough but that's all gone now and he's looking forward to the new season."

Southgate will be delighted if O'Neil is ready to commit his future to the Teessiders as the Boro boss has always maintained the player is important to his plans.

At the same time, Southgate was reluctantly prepared to allow O'Neil to leave in the circumstances.

Reading were prepared to offer cash and Boro target James Harper. However, following the Royals' relegation O'Neil is reluctant to play in the Championship.

"I have not spoken to him (O'Neil) since the end of the season," revealed Southgate.

"We have not had any inquiries.

"I plan to sit down with him in the next couple of days to see how he feels and we don't want to lose him."

ONeil returned for preseason with the rest of his team-mates on Monday, although the former Portsmouth man trained alone as he is still in rehabilitation following a knee injury.

■ Tickets for Boro's friendly with York City on Friday, July 18 are on sale from the club.

Tickets are £10 adults, £5 under-16s, over-65s and students.

■ Premier League new boys West Bromich Albion are ready to make their move for Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi.

Boss Tony Mowbray has identified the 26-yearold as the player he would like to take to the Hawthorns, if, as expected, former Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips leaves the club.

Phillips looks set to join Birmingham City. The former England striker is demanding a two-year deal, which Mowbray is reluctant to offer.

Ipswich, Norwich and Stoke City have also been interested in a move for Ameobi.

Ameobi, who turned down the opportunity to join Canadian MLS side Toronto last month, would prefer to remain at St James' Park and fight for his place under Kevin Keegan.

However, it is understood that Keegan does not see Ameobi as part of his longterm plans, and Newcastle are willing to listen to offers for a player, who made just eight appearances for the Tynesiders last season.

■ David Perkins has left Rochdale to join Colchester for an undisclosed six-figure fee. He becomes the Us' second signing after Steven Gillespie's from Cheltenham.