ROY HODGSON has given Middlesbrough the go-ahead to use Crystal Palace’s facilities during this week’s London double header in the FA Cup and Championship.

Jonathan Woodgate has revealed that Palace are allowing the Teessiders to train at their Beckenham complex because Boro will be staying in the capital over the next five days.

Woodgate would have preferred to have taken his squad back to the North-East but feels the plan he has come up with is necessary to get the best out of his players.

After facing Tottenham in the FA Cup third round replay on Tuesday night, Middlesbrough will stay in the south before facing Fulham at Craven Cottage on Friday.

Both games are important for their own reasons so Woodgate wants to make sure the extra travel that heading backwards and forwards from Teesside does not take its toll – and Palace have stepped in when others would not.

Woodgate, who was knocked back by Tottenham, explained: “Do you know where I’m from? I’m from the north of England. I’d rather be in Middlesbrough to be honest. Listen, the way we’re playing and the way we are going about things at the minute I don’t want a break. I’d rather be in Middlesbrough than London.

“But the plan this week is we will travel down on Monday and we will be away until the early hours of Saturday morning, so we won’t come back. It’s pointless coming back.

“If we go to Spurs we’ll get back about three in the morning and then we’ll have to travel back on Thursday so we’ll stay down.

“We’ll be training at a club, we’ve been rejected by a few clubs. Spurs rejected us to train down there, we’ve been rejected by a few. Crystal Palace said we could train so I’m really happy about that.”

Middlesbrough regularly accommodate other clubs who head north and request to spend an afternoon or two at Rockliffe Park, so he was surprised to hear some clubs say no.

It looks unlikely that goalkeeper Darren Randolph will be with the Middlesbrough squad this week, although he still looks destined to be making a London stay of a different kind.

West Ham are expected to make a decision on whether to finalise a deal worth around £4m on Monday, having had reservations about the hip injury that has plagued him for much of the season.

The Hammers need to get things wrapped up has increased in the last few days after Lukasz Fabianski, who has missed most of the season with his own hip complaint, was forced off once again against Sheffield United on Friday night. David Martin, who replaced him, was guilty of the error that gave the Blades the winner.

Provided Randolph does leave then the money raised from the sale will clearly help Middlesbrough’s finances. Regardless of the fee, he is also a big earner so his departure would free up room on the wage bill.

Woodgate has brought in Patrick Roberts and Lukas Nmecha so far on loan from Manchester City and he would like to bring in more new faces to continue Middlesbrough’s rise up the table if he feels it will strengthen things.

“Not sure yet (whether he will be able to reinvest Randolph money),” said the Middlesbrough head coach.

“I don’t want to blow money just for the sake of blowing money. Let’s hopefully, if there is money there to be spent and it’s the right person we bring into the club.

“If I had £20m, £10m it has to be the right person to bring in. I’m not going to bring in people for the sake of it just to make the numbers up, I’m not like that. So let’s see.”

Roberts has already shown his potential in his two starts against Tottenham and then in the 2-2 draw with Derby County on Saturday. His direct running and neat link up play has boosted Middlesbrough’s attacking play.

The 22-year-old has managed to settle in quickly even though he had only made three substitute appearances for Norwich City on loan this season during his loan from Manchester City. Clearly, there could be plenty more to come.

“He’s played now for us and you can see the quality he has, when he gets the ball he gets the fans right on the edge of their seat,” said Woodgate.

“He was a constant threat and he’s only going to get better, it’s his second game. He’s only going to get better and I’m really excited about him to be honest, I think he can be a real good player.”