MIDDLESBROUGH skipper Paul Ince has hinted that his future could lie away from the Riverside.

The inspirational midfielder's comments come just as Boro target Muzzy Izzet revealed he is about to reopen talks with manager Steve McClaren over a £6m switch from Leicester.

It had been thought that Ince had not signed a new contract because of the player's insistence on a two-year deal - reputedly 12 months longer than the club were prepared to offer.

However, Ince indicated the length of contract was no longer an issue and he was just waiting to hear from Boro chief executive Keith Lamb. Lamb is believed to be out of the country at present trying to tie up a deal to bring South African ace Benni McCarthy to Teesside.

And Ince, understood to have Manchester City and Everton as possible destinations in the summer, said: "It's been a case of just waiting. Keith Lamb has been away, in Spain I think, we've had talks and they are still ongoing.

"I can't say whether I will be here next season because I don't know. It's out of my hands now it's up to Keith Lamb to sort that out.

"The length of contract has been sorted and now it's just a case of agreeing terms.

"Keith Lamb's in Spain sunbathing - that's up to him. He's got to come to me with the terms he wants and hopefully something will be sorted out.

"You don't want to cut yourself short because you think you deserve what you should get.

"I've told him what I want now it's up to him to come back and say yes or no."

Ince, 35 in October, believes he deserves to be the given what he is asking for after another impressive campaign in the middle of the pitch. And the former England international is convinced he has still got a couple more years at the top level.

He said: "Consistently I feel I'm doing well. I'm getting a year older but I feel quite sharp.

"When my body tells me I can't get close to players and I can't get the tackles in then maybe it's time for me to pack it all in.

"Everyone knows how committed I am to Middlesbrough and the fans have been great to me. But it's out of my hands now."

Meanwhile, Leicester midfielder Izzet, who played what is likely to be his last game for the Foxes on Saturday, has already turned down Boro once.

But the Turkey international said: "I will speak to Steve McClaren again now the season has finished and we will discuss things.

"The offer he made me was a great offer. It is up to me to speak to him and we will go through a few things.

"When they made their bid, I thought about the situation and didn't want people thinking I was jumping ship.

"If I did go perhaps everyone will benefit and I will continue to play in the Premier League.

"Now though I have the World Cup to look forward to. I am not going to really decide until I come back with Turkey.