Boro duo poised for exit

2:03am Friday 25th April 2008

MIDDLESBROUGH are willing to run down the clock towards a deadline that would trigger a release clause enabling Fabio Rochemback to end his three-year stay on Teesside.

And, with just three matches remaining, manager Gareth Southgate has admitted the probability of first-choice goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer leaving at the end of his contract has also increased.

The decision to retain Rochemback's services lies very much in the hands of Southgate, although the midfielder will be free to leave if an option to extend his contract by a further two years is not taken within the next fortnight.

Sporting Lisbon remain front runners in the chase for his signature, but know their attempts to resign him for a second spell rest on whether he is prepared to take a pay cut.

Sporting, where he impressed during a loan spell from Barcelona, are only able to pay a maximum weekly wage of around £23,000-a-week.

That is considerably less than his existing terms at Middlesbrough, while the Portuguese giants would hope to give him a handsome signing on fee given how he would be available for nothing.

Southgate insists he has not made up his mind on whether to extend the South American's stay, with Vasco de Gama and Gremio also interested in taking him back to his Brazilian homeland.

"Until we know what position we are in it is impossible to make any decision," said Southgate, referring to Middlesbrough's ongoing battle against relegation ahead of crucial trip to Sunderland tomorrow.

"It doesn't surprise me that there are clubs in Portugal interested because he was very popular at Sporting. Whether they approach us as a club I am not sure because there would not be a fee involved.

"In the next couple of weeks it will be clearer, there is a deadline.

"I try to get involved in contracts as little as possible but I'm aware there is an option and that the deadline is not until May.

"I just feel that at the moment no matter which way you want a decision to go, negotiations and conversations can be detrimental when there are important games to play.

"I strongly believe we can win at Sunderland on Saturday and then we can work on putting the whole thing to bed."

Victory on Wearside would safeguard Middlesbrough's place among the elite for a further year, when Southgate will then look to work on contractual matters.

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