GARETH Southgate has confirmed he’s looking for experienced players in the January transfer window but admits he may have to sell some of his current squad to land his top targets.

While he wouldn’t identify the names of players likely to be leaving the Riverside next month, Mido’s role on the sidelines continues to see him tagged as the man most likely to be leaving Teesside in the new year.

Asked if he would consider selling any of his current players to fund recruitment, the Boro boss said: “Yes.

We’ve had to do that throughout my time here. If anybody is to leave we’ll want to use that money wisely but I’m not under pressure to sell.

“We’re also looking at loan players who can improve us and free transfers coming up next summer that we can tie up next month but there are only two positions where I think we need to strengthen.”

Southgate has been linked with a move for experienced Fenerbahce midfielder Stephen Appiah, currently available on a free transfer.

Adding an experienced figure to central midfield is considered ‘a priority’ by Southgate and the Ghana skipper would fit the bill.

Middlesbrough are facing competition from Harry Redknapp, however, who’s keen on taking the 55-times capped holding midfielder to White Hart Lane.

“In the middle of the park we are light in terms of experience.

We are looking at experienced players but they have to be good quality,” admitted Southgate, who continues to be linked with a £3m move for Arsenal’s young left midfielder Armand Traore.

“We are looking abroad, we now have a better database of what’s going on in and that gives us a lot more confidence in recruiting outside Britain.”

Despite rumours Boateng and Southgate fell out after the midfielder struggled to hold down a first-team spot, the Boro manager has great respect for the player.

“I left George out and he found that difficult because he was captain but he wanted a new challenge and I can understand why Hull would want him in their first season in this league with his ability and experience,’’ he said.

“But we do remember the good things he did for Middlesbrough and I expect he’ll get a great reception from our fans.”

Southgate has great respect for the man in the opposite dugout who joins the ranks of young British managers in the top flight.

“Actually I think Phil’s (Brown) a bit older than me,”

said Southgate. “I sat beside him at the North-East Football Writers’ Dinner last week and he’s a very impressive guy. He’s certainly more experienced than me and had a great grounding in his coaching with Sam (Allardyce) and is a very experienced manager now.

“The job he’s done at Hull is brilliant – similar to ourselves they do a lot in the community and their club, like Middlesbrough they have been a catalyst for the regeneration of their town.

“They get their midfield players behind the ball very quickly and play on the counter-attack so we need to watch that.

“They’ve won several games through moments of brilliance from Geovanni and are the best in the league from set plays – that’s how they’ve got a lot of their results.

“The position they’re in now is that they’ve points on the board that allows them to play with a certain amount of freedom. Now they can think about how high they can finish rather than can they stay in the division.”

Boro will be delighted to welcome back skipper Emanuel Pogatetz to help counter Hull’s physical threat.

“Pogi should be fine, he’s trained and you’d need a juggernaut to stop him really so I expect he’ll be there. When he’s in and around the team things are different he’s a great influence,” confirmed Southgate.