Southgate : Stories are Rubbish

Widespread reports in the media today reported that Southgate would be out for the first three games of Boro's campaign with a knee injury. But Boro's player of the year responded to the reports by saying, " It's a load of rubbish. The truth is I trained yesterday and I see no reason why I shouldn't be ready for Saturday."

This news will come as a welcome boost to Boro fans, who have already been dealt the blow that Juninho will miss a significant chunk of the season. It is now feared that the Little Fella will not be seen playing football until after Christmas at the earliest.

In other news, reserve team captain Mark Hudson yesterday joined Chesterfield on a months loan. The midfielder has been on the fringe of Boro's first team for a while and made a couple of appearences last term.