MIDDLESBROUGH manager Tony Pulis believes the EFL have not heard the last of Steve Gibson’s attempts to have greater transparency of finances running through the Championship.

Gibson, and a number of his allies in the second tier, suffered frustration this week when, after a six-hour meeting of clubs at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground, the majority voted against financial documents of clubs being available for rivals to examine.

It was deemed to be against the competition’s rules and the EFL, whose financial team delivered their own presentation, were backed to continue policing the profitability and sustainability rules.

Gibson had plenty support beforehand and there is backing for an EFL investigation into the finances of Derby County, Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday. The dispute is likely to continue, with Pulis backing his Boro chief.

“I don’t think Steve will take that as a final, knowing Steve,” said Pulis. “He is much more in control of that area and situation. As I have said, he wanted this football club to work within the limits of what is said to be the norm for the Championship.

“He has done that and we have cut our cloth accordingly. I can’t fault Steve for that, he has been adamant we should do that, work within the rules. It has an adverse effect at times, but it had to be done and I agree with what he has done and what he is doing.”

“If you read between the lines, this club has worked hard to get in the right position financially. Steve is a dog with a bone at the moment in that respect, I don’t think he’s the only one.

“There are others who are really disappointed with what is going on. He wanted to work within the rules and as a football club we have worked hard to do that, he has got our house in order. That has meant we have moved quite a few players on, cut wages, which needed to be done.”

Boro face Reading today with three points crucial in the battle for a play-off spot, and Stewart Downing is a doubt with a knee injury picked up in training.