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SHEFFIELD UNITED v MIDDLESBROUGH - DOWNING HAPPY TO STAY AT BORO
Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing has insisted he never wanted to leave his home town club.
The 23-year-old England international on Friday committed his long-term future to the Teessiders when he agreed a new five-year contract just weeks after it appeared his days at the Riverside Stadium could be numbered.
However, Downing, who had been linked with Tottenham and Everton, is adamant that he wanted all along to be able to fulfil his ambitions with the team he supported as a boy.
He said: "There has been talk about other clubs, but I never wanted out. This is what I have wanted all along.
"I know it has gone on for some time, but I am delighted we have finally reached an agreement.
"I am glad it is all done and I can concentrate on my football because that's what I want to do."
Downing, whose decision came as manager Gareth Southgate finalised his preparations for Sunday's FA Cup fifth-round trip to Sheffield United, admitted the club's swoop for record signing Afonso Alves helped to make up his mind.
Southgate is delighted to have both men at his disposal as he builds for what he hopes will be sustained success.
He said: "I am sure it (Alves' capture) will have helped. All players want to see the club they are at are keen to improve and want to keep progressing.
"We can promise things and we can talk about doing things, but until we actually do them, then people will not believe them.
"As a club, we have made that investment and now we have followed up by agreeing with Stewart.
"He is still very young, really, and there is still lots of development to come.
"I still maintain at times, he does not realise how good he can be himself. He is a fantastic asset for us."
Boro head for Sheffield with their planned reunion with former manager Bryan Robson off after his untimely departure from Bramall Lane.
Southgate was quick to pay tribute to a man who put in place many of the foundations upon which he is now constructing his vision.
However, there will be no room for either sentiment or complacency for the Barclays Premier League side this weekend.
Should Boro make the quarter-finals for the third season in a row, they can be accompanied by a maximum of just four other top-flight sides, and that could represent a real opportunity.
But Southgate knows only too well that will count for nothing unless they make their pedigree tell against a side which has already dumped Bolton and Manchester City out of the competition.
He said: "It's not something that is of any relevance to us unless we get through on Sunday.
"That's all we can affect and all we can focus on. By the time we have played, more teams might have gone out, but if we do not beat Sheffield United, it is of no relevance to us at all.
"We have got to concentrate on that."
By Bettingzone.co.uk
Used with permission.
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