Southgate lacks the funds

Southgate: Could be a quiet January

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Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate has admitted that he may not have the funds to buy new players in the January transfer window.

Boro's young squad has coped well with the demands of the Premier League but Southgate has spoken of his desire to add some more experience.

The North East club had nine players from the youth system in the squad for Saturday's 0-0 draw with Newcastle United with four of them in the starting line-up.

If there is to be no transfer activity in January then Southgate will have to trust that the youth system will to continue to produce players for his first team.

He told the Evening Gazette: "We have targets but we have more targets than funds.

"We know the areas we would like to strengthen and we have ideas on how we might do it.

Struggle

"We've started moving in a specific direction. I spent only £500,000 last summer and knocked £7million off the wage bill.

"We would still like a little bit more seniority if we can do it and maybe improve the strength in depth. We have identified the positions we need to strengthen.

"But you never know what you can do in January because it's a difficult time to do business.

"We have what we have. That's what we are working with and if nothing happens over the next couple of months, then we are comfortable with our situation."