Gibson To Stand His Ground With Downing?

Last updated : 05 January 2009 By Boro Mad

But both Stewart Downing and Gary O'Neil are so desperate to depart The Riverside, they have handed in a written transfer requests.

With Mido and Tuncay Sanli also linked with moves away from the club, Boro could be left in a shocking position as we face the second half of the season fighting for our Premiership lives.

Boro are without a win in eight league games, and Gibson is in a position where he either sells to fund Gareth Southgate's rebuilding, or he tries to hang onto players who knows have interests elsewhere.

We've been through this many times before ... players who see the other's man grass far greener ... and when transfers have been blocked, sick-notes suddenly appear.

Gibson: "I repeat: none of our senior players will be leaving the Riverside Stadium this month.

"We've got a talented group of players and it's time for us to knuckle down and focus on the job in hand.

"As far as we're concerned, this is now an end to the matter."

Boro chief executive Keith Lamb: "I can confirm that we have received an offer from Spurs for Stewart Downing and I can also confirm that we have rejected that offer.

"I've spoken to Daniel Levy and told him categorically that their interest is not welcome.

"I've also told him that we will not entertain any further offers for Stewart or, for that matter, any other senior member of our squad. The same applies to Tuncay and it also applies to Gary O'Neil."