TONY PULIS will step in to the ongoing stand-off between the Middlesbrough hierarchy and Stewart Downing to try to engineer a solution that will enable the midfielder to start league matches in the remaining three months of the season.

As things stand, Pulis is unable to select Downing in his starting line-up for this afternoon’s game at West Brom as Middlesbrough owner Steve Gibson and chief executive Neil Bausor do not want to trigger a clause that would see the 34-year-old automatically get a one-year extension to his current contract, which is due to expire in the summer.

Having been recruited when Boro were pushing for promotion under Aitor Karanka, Downing is one of the highest-paid players on the club’s books, and with the parachute payments following relegation from the Premier League having expired, Gibson and Bausor do not want to be tied to paying the winger’s wages, which are understood to be more than £30,000-a-week, for the whole of next season.

One solution would have been for Downing to head elsewhere in the transfer window, but Thursday’s deadline passed without him leaving the Riverside. An alternative option would be for the two parties to negotiate an alternative contractual arrangement, potentially resulting in a 12-month extension on reduced terms, but despite some preliminary talks last month, a compromise has not been achieved.

While the transfer window was open, Pulis was happy to take a back seat in discussions. However, with Thursday night’s deadline having passed without the arrival of any new attackers, Downing is more important to the Boro boss than ever. As a result, he will be desperately trying to facilitate some sort of agreement as quickly as possible to ensure Downing is able to start the 18 league games that are still to be played.

“The situation with Stewart is still the same, but I will be speaking to him personally now,” said Pulis. “I know the club have been speaking to him, but I will speak to him on the way down to the Albion. I’ll have a good chat with him and see where we are.

“What has happened between Stewart and the club has happened. That’s gone on without me being anywhere near the place, so it’s very difficult for me to interfere in a personal matter that’s been done between both parties.

“But I’ll speak to Stew. The window’s closed now, he’s not going anywhere – and I’m pleased he’s not – so I need to speak to him.

“Over the last ten days or so since the news came out, his attitude in training has been absolutely fantastic, he’s been first class. He’s dealt with Steve and Neil on that basis. I’ll have a good chat with him and see where he’s coming from.”

While some Boro fans might question Downing’s continued value, Pulis clearly regards the former England international as a crucial part of his plans.

Prior to his forced demotion to the substitutes’ bench at the start of the year, Downing had started all bar three of Boro’s Championship games, and given his lack of options in the wide positions, Pulis can ill afford to have one of his key lieutenants sitting on the sidelines.

Downing brings leadership and experience to the squad as well as his footballing qualities, and while a section of the Riverside support might question his capabilities as he approaches his mid-30s, Pulis is confident he will be hailed a Middlesbrough legend when he eventually retires.

“When Stewart was playing for England, people appreciated him, and I think they’ll probably build a statue for him when he’s retired,” said the Boro boss. “He’ll become one of the great players for Middlesbrough.

“That’s the way it is now, it ebbs and flows. You’re either good or not so good, that’s the way football is. I think the players respect him – I’ve just put three groups together for things we are going to do over the next couple of weeks and Stewart’s in charge of one of the groups.

“He’s got that charisma and respect in the group. People respect him for what he’s done, and what he is.”

While Downing remained beyond the end of the transfer window, Boro bade farewell to former skipper Grant Leadbitter, who rejoined Sunderland, and defender Danny Batth who was recalled from his loan spell in order for Wolves to sell him to Stoke City.

“Danny was fantastic for us as a player and character,” said Pulis. “Grant was a wonderful professional.

“The pair of them are a bit of a throwback. We’ve lost two leaders really, both in the dressing room and out on the training ground. Grant was exceptional, and Danny’s made from the same stock.”

Middlesbrough (probable, 4-1-4-1): Randolph; Shotton, Ayala, Flint, Friend; Clayton; Wing, Mikel, Besic, Howson; Hugill.