GARETH SOUTHGATE fears the longer Mark Viduka takes to commit his future to Middlesbough the less likely he is to sign a new contract at the Riverside Stadium.

Despite always being aware that the Australian's existing deal expires at the end of June, there has been plenty talking behind the scenes but the lack of a crucial breakthrough has raised the possibility of the striker moving on for free this summer.

An offer made by Boro remains on the table but Viduka, who could have accepted a reputed £63,000-a-week deal at West Ham in January, is in no rush to put his signature to fresh terms.

Italians Genoa have also gone on record as being interested in taking the 31-year-old to the continent, while Newcastle United and Liverpool could revive interest they have shown in him during the past 12 months.

And Southgate, keen to retain the services of his 16-goal forward who would be extremely difficult to replace before the start of the new campaign in August, knows his player is not short of potential employers.

"Mark has been playing well and obviously other teams have been alerted, if they needed to be," said Southgate. "I have no idea about who is interested because clubs don't have to contact me.

"I can't take anything for granted and he has to do what is right for him. He doesn't feel there is a rush. He might as well assess all the possibilities."

He added: "I spoke to Mark again this week and understandably the longer it goes to the end of the season the more options he has. That's the danger you face when players are in their last year of contract. He knows my feelings on it and we hope to persuade him to stay."

Having already convinced Jonathan Woodgate to dismiss overtures from top clubs and complete a permanent £7m switch from Real Madrid to Teesside, Southgate has not given up hope Viduka will follow suit.

Viduka's career is about to enter its final chapter and ideally he wants to go out on a high, by winning his first piece of silverware since moving to Leeds United from Celtic in July 2000.

Given that he has failed to win an honour in the English game, that is something he still harbours hopes for and Southgate has tried to highlight to the man from Melbourne that Middlesbrough are moving forward.

"Getting Jonathan to commit was a step in the right direction to help convince him to stay and that we are heading in the right direction," said Southgate. "What I can't do is tell him that we are going to spend £30m on new players. I have to be realistic.

"I have to make sure that the calibre of player I am looking to bring in will be hungry and they want to take this club forward. Mark is a leader in the dressing room for us, on and off the field. For me to keep him would be important for that."

With Viduka's situation, Southgate is understandably desperate to retain the services of Ayegbeni Yakubu.

It has been suggested this week that Turkish side Fenerbahce, who have previously been credited with an interest in the Nigerian, are preparing a £7.5m offer.

The former Portsmouth forward has netted 35 goals in his two years in the North-East, but Southgate not looking to lose his most potent goal-getter.

"It's the first I have heard about any interest from them," he said. "It's not something I am aware of or concerned about. Despite his recent run, he is our top goalscorer so we are not in a rush to lose players that are important to us."

And despite the expensive acquisition of Woodgate, Southgate maintains he has not been told to cash-in on his prize assets during the close-season.

"I'm under no pressure to sell players," said the Boro boss. "That, from my point of view, is a great position to be in. If you think there has been an offer for a player that you should take then a decision has to be made. We are not, though, looking to move on any of our better players."

Meanwhile, Southgate confirmed that 20-year-old full-back Andrew Taylor will have surgery on his persistent toe problem within the next fortnight.

Southgate said: "It is a minor operation we have been advised Andrew needs, but we are not anticipating any problems and he should be fine for the start of next season."

* Tickets for the Middlesbrough Former Players Association's gala dinner this Sunday at Tall Trees in Yarm are still on sale. Ring (01642) 593939 for details.