MIDDLESBROUGH chief executive Keith Lamb last night confirmed that the club has received and rejected a transfer request from England winger Stewart Downing.

The 24-year-old submitted a written request yesterday, in the wake of an improved offer from Tottenham.

Lamb said: “We received a written transfer request from Stewart. It was considered, before being rejected.

“Prior to receiving the request, we received an improved offer for Stewart from Tottenham.

“We immediately rejected this offer and informed Tottenham that Stewart Downing is not for sale and any further interest they have in the player will not be entertained.”

Boro’s response comes as no surprise after Lamb, chairman Steve Gibson and manager Gareth Southgate all repeatedly insisted that Downing would not be sold.

They are now faced with the task of persuading Downing that he can go on to fulfil his potential on Teesside.

His father, also named Stewart, said the player’s decision to ask for a move was motivated by his disappointment at the club’s lack of ambition since he signed a five-year deal in February last year.

Downing Snr said: “Stewart’s been frustrated since the summer, really.

“When he signed his contract, he was assured that there would be significant investment in the squad.

“He feels that the club has not matched those expectations.

He’s also frustrated that the team is struggling in the Premier League.

“As a Middlesbrough lad, he’s thought long and hard about the decision to hand in a transfer request and hopes the fans will understand his reasons for doing so.”

It is understood that Spurs’ latest offer amounts to more than £11m, although the Teessiders value him at closer to £15m.

Boro are in 17th place in the Barclays Premier League table, clear of the drop zone only on goal difference.

Gibson is adamant none of the club’s big names will be sold this month, despite interest in Downing, Tuncay Sanli and Gary O’Neil.

Southgate knows he cannot spend unless he sells. While he could raise a sizeable sum by selling Downing, replacing him – even with the promising Adam Johnson at his disposal – would not be easy.

Supporters will hope there is not a repeat of the Ayegbeni Yakubu saga two summers ago, which saw the Nigerian eventually sold to Everton for £11.25million, with no time left to plug the gap he left.

Just how much Downing’s transfer request has damaged the relationship between club and player – and his rapport with the fans – will unfold over the days ahead, but will not improve an already tense atmosphere as a difficult season enters a crucial period.

O’Neil is also understood to be unsettled after a difficult first season in the North-East.

Lamb rejected suggestions that he has also asked to go.

He said: “We have not received a transfer request from Gary. If we did, it would be rejected.

We believe this squad is strong enough to improve our position and we are committed to keeping it together.”

● Meanwhile, 20-year-old defender Seb Hines has joined Derby on a month’s loan.