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Boro’s Boateng wants his future resolved
GEORGE BOATENG wants reassurances
over his long-term
value to the Middlesbrough
cause ahead of a summer that
could herald the end of a six-year
stay on Teesside.
The Dutch midfielder's focus
today will be on claiming the
three points against Portsmouth
that would preserve Premier
League status for a further year.
But, once the remaining two
matches are out of the way,
Boateng will concentrate on a
close-season that could lead to
his departure.
With the relegation fight far
from won, no plans are scheduled
between the former Aston Villa
midfielder and manager Gareth
Southgate.
However, there will be a determination
on Boateng's part to
thrash out his future given how
it appeared he was no longer part
of his manager's plans earlier
this year.
In January he was dropped
from the squad ahead of an FA
Cup date with Bristol City after
a training ground bust-up with
Southgate following his omission
from the team that faced Everton
on New Year's Day.
A calamitous run of form - in
which Fabio Rochemback and
Julio Arca appeared to lose the
understanding they had built up
- led to Boateng being recalled.
He has one year remaining on
his contract, although having
had the chance to sign for Celtic,
Tottenham and Sunderland in
January, he would prefer to be
sold if he was going to face similar
disappointment next season.
"Will I be here next season? I
don't know," said Boateng.
"But in all honesty, I don't
want another year like
this. For somebody
like me, who has
been in the rise of
the club for five
years, being a major
part, then going to being
second, third choice and
sometimes no choice, as
well as having the pride I
had in being captain, has
been hard.
"There is the possibility
that I might leave but I am
not saying I will leave. If you
are not in my shoes, you cannot
feel how I feel, especially
if you are very competitive
like me.
"I don't want to be here
and pick up heavy wages
and don't do anything. I
would rather leave. It is because
I want to achieve in
life. If I am not playing or
not happy, I am wasted."
Boateng turns 33 in September,
but is convinced he is still worthy
of a place in Middlesbrough's
team. With uncertainty surrounding
the futures of Gary
O'Neil and Rochemback, there is
clearly a need on Southgate's
part to sort things out.
"What I am saying is if the decision
comes and I have to make
it, I will make it," said Boateng.
"This place has been a major part
in my career and my life. If I leave
it will be hard.
"I have two daughters, one
born in Stockton, one in Middlesbrough.
Regardless of what
happens, this place will always be
special. If it was up to
me I would rather see
out the remaining
year here and enjoy
it, like it was before. If
it will be a season like
this, I would rather
move on."
Another who could
be on the move permanently
is Chris
Riggott. Today,
though, he is
in line to
make his first
appearance of 2008.
He has been recalled
from a loan at
Stoke, where he has
helped the Potters'
promotion bid, amid
fears Emanuel
Pogatetz will be absent
with a calf
problem.
The Austrian did
not train yesterday and manager
Gareth Southgate looks certain
to include Riggott at the heart of
his defence alongside David
Wheater - provided Pogatetz
does not pass a late fitness test.
With Robert Huth struggling
to overcome a foot problem that
has kept him out of action since
March 15, Southgate felt it necessary
to end the loan.
Riggott has not figured for
Boro since the draw at Bolton on
November 11 and he looks certain
to leave this summer. But a
24-hour clause in the terms of the
arrangement with Stoke has allowed
him to be recalled.
It is a blow to Stoke, who have
been playing the former Derby
man at right-back for the last
three matches of his nine-game
stint at the Britannia Stadium.
He would have been involved
in Stoke's final match with
Leicester tomorrow, where victory
would clinch a place in the Premier
League for Tony Pulis' side.
It would also herald a bid for the
player's services on a permanent
basis.
Now, though, Riggott will figure
in a match made crucial for
different reasons, with Middlesbrough
in need of the win over
Portsmouth that will preserve
top-flight status for a further
year.
9:35am Saturday 3rd May 2008
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