ROSS TURNBULL has outlined a desire to commit his long-term future to Middlesbrough, but admitted the two parties are still some way short of agreeing a new contract.

Gareth Southgate, the Middlesbrough manager, revealed over the weekend that the club are close to finalising terms with both Turnbull and his current goalkeeping understudy Brad Jones, pictured below.

The pair are out of contract at the end of the season and would be free to talk to any interested clubs in January, and there is a determination on Boro’s part to conclude negotiations before the start of next month.

However, while discussions with Jones are almost complete, talks with Turnbull remain a work in progress, although the player is confident an agreement can be reached.

“We have had talks. There has been nothing recently but I’m looking to get that sorted as soon as possible,” said Turnbull.

“I’m not sure about Brad’s talks.

But we are not too far away from agreeing my deal, although I would not say we are close yet either.

“I just want it sorting as soon as possible. I want to stay.

“I have said that all the way along and I just hope it will get sorted sooner rather than later.”

Turnbull remains one of the lowest paid players in the Middlesbrough squad having only graduated to the number one jersey this season following the departure of Mark Schwarzer to Fulham.

Southgate was determined to invest his faith in both Jones and Turnbull and, after Jones suffered a dislocated finger in the warm-up at Liverpool in the second match of the season, Turnbull has held down his place.

Southgate has been delighted with the progress shown by the 23-year-old, whose displays have led to suggestions England manager Fabio Capello is monitoring his development.

And while Turnbull is only half way through his first full season as a regular Premier L e a g u e g o a l - k e e p e r , he wants a contract reflecting his development, particularly if the new deal was for the long term.

Turnbull, born in Bishop Auckland and brought up in Newton Aycliffe, signed his first professional contract at the Riverside in 2002 and represented England from every level up to the Under-20s.

While Turnbull and Jones hope to soon sign up to stay on Teesside, it would appear unlikely that they will be joined by Croatian striker Ivica Olic.

It has been claimed that Hamburg were made an offer for the 29-year-old forward, but the player has no desire to move to England unless it was with a top-six team.

German champions Bayern Munich, Juventus, Villarreal and Valencia have all been credited with an interest in Olic and his agent, Gordon Stipic, claims he is aware of an offer from Middlesbrough.

“We learnt about that (Middlesbrough) bid from the press,” said Stipic.

“But I have not had talks with them and to be honest we are not sure they would be worthwhile.

“I don’t think they are the type of club that Ivica would consider at this stage. We are talking with Juventus, Bayern, Valencia and Hamburg and we are well down the line with those clubs.

“A move to the Premier League would appeal but any club would have to be at least in Europe and ideally in the Champions League.”

■ Mido will join Emanuel Pogatetz and Julio Arca at a signing session between 5.30pm and 6.30pm tomorrow night at the Boro store in Middlesbrough town centre