GARETH SOUTHGATE has identified Colchester United’s free-scoring winger Mark Yeates as a potential replacement for Stewart Downing and is weighing up a £500,000 offer for the Dubliner.

But reports a deal has already been agreed to bring the 24-year-old to the Riverside appear premature.

Southgate has declared his determination to recruit players “hungry for the promotion challenge” and the livewire Yeates would add much-needed firepower for next season’s Championship campaign.

Yeates, a former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international, is regarded as Colchester’s creative mainspring and his marauding runs on the left flank and set piece prowess would go some way to helping fill the gap once Downing completes his expected move from the club.

The Tottenham Hotspur academy product has been a long-term target of Crystal Palace, Sheffield United and Bristol City after his eyecatching season with Paul Lambert’s Us where his 13 goals from midfield made him the club’s top scorer.

But Teesside is his favoured destination and if Southgate makes a firm offer he’s expected to secure Yeates’ signature ahead of Boro’s Championship rivals.

The manager is also resolved to keeping Adam Johnson at the club despite the England Under-21 international earning rave reviews as part of Stuart Pearce’s European Championship squad.

Unless Boro receive a massive offer for either Johnson or David Wheater both will be lining up for Southgate’s side next season.

Yeates has a year left on his contract but Colchester have decided to cash in now and sell the player instead of losing him on a free transfer next summer. He has scored 21 goals in 81 appearances for the League One club and is would regard a move to the Riverside as helping boost his chances of securing a first full international cap.

Steve Bradshaw, the Colchester chief executive said: “We are aware of Middlesbrough’s interest.

“It will take a sizeable commitment from Middlesbrough to prize him away from us. We are desperate not to lose Mark because we feel he is part of our future. We will do everything we can to keep him. But the chairman doesn’t want to stand in the way of players if they get a fantastic opportunity.”

The Us’ manager earlier admitted he was resigned to losing his most coveted asset.

“I’d like to hold onto Mark.

He’s an exciting player, but in the end money will decide what happens. He would definitely leave a hole. You never like to see your best players leave,” admitted Lambert.

Yeates made his Premier League debut as an 18-yearold for Spurs in 2004, before loan spells at Brighton, Hull and Leicester City.