Southgate wants Wheater fix

Defender's contract is up at the end of the season

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 21st January 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Southgate wants Wheater fix

Wheater: Amongst the goals of late

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Gareth Southgate is hoping that defender David Wheater will agree a new contract at Middlesbrough.

The centre-back's current deal expires at the end of the season and a string of impressive performances have drawn admiring glances from elsewhere.

The interest is hardly surprising as Wheater's rise to prominence this season has seen him become a fixture at the heart of the Boro defence and force his way into the England Under 21 set up.

His manager though feels that he would be wise to ignore the lure of a move to a big club in favour of continuing his development with his home-town side.

Maturity

"David's having a terrific season," Southgate said.

"The maturity he has shown and the way he's standing up to the challenge of playing against top international players will stand him in good stead.

"He's at a lovely phase in his career where he just goes out and plays and isn't worried about anything else. It's great to watch.

"I'm confident he will be signing a new contract, and pretty soon too.

"He's a Middlesbrough boy and loves playing for the club. We give young players a chance more than other clubs do."

Top scorer

Wheater grabbed his third goal in 19 Premier League appearances during the 1-1 draw with Blackburn on Saturday and admits that even he is surprised at how well his season has gone so far.

"I can't really believe how well it's going for me personally," he said.

"I didn't even expect to be here this year. I thought I'd be out on loan.

"But here I am in the team and hopefully I'll stay there. I could be top scorer the way things are going.

"I'm only one behind Stewart Downing and I'm after him."