Boro to let Tuncay go

Southgate won't stand in star's way

By Graeme Bailey   Last updated: 26th May 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Boro to let Tuncay go

Southgate: Set for talks

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Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate admits he is ready to let Tuncay Sanli leave the club as he prepares to meet with chairman Steve Gibson.

Southgate's side were, as expected, relegated at the weekend after suffering defeat at West Ham.

A number of Boro's squad now look set to depart the Riverside and Player of the Year Tuncay is expected to head the exodus.

Southgate admits that Tuncay - one of the few players to come out of the season with any credit - will be very hard to hang on to.

"We have to be realistic," said Southgate.

Stage

"Tuncay is an international player who is captain of his country. He has given everything right to the end, he's a very special person and he's been a pleasure to work with.

"I will have to sit down with him and see what he wants to do but it's obviously going to be very hard to keep him.

"He needs a stage on which to perform because he is that type of a character."

One player who looks set to stay for now is Stewart Downing, who looks set to be sidelined until the start of next season with his foot injury.

"It looks as if Stewart could be with us until January at least because of the operation," Southgate said.

"Certainly we might not have seen the last of Stewart in a Middlesbrough shirt."

Southgate is due to meet his chairman to discuss what is needed to achieve promotion at the first time of asking.

"We want to try to get straight back up so we have to put together a team and a squad that can win more games next season," he said.

Major changes

"I will definitely be sitting down with the chairman to plan what's going to happen. We're ready to make big changes in the playing staff.

"I have to accept there'll be personal agendas over the summer, so it's important that I get a clear picture as quickly as possible. That's why I need to see a lot of players. As soon as I know what they want, then I will know what I have to do.

"I want people who want to be here and ready for the fight. That will be important going forward.

"We have to improve and increase the squad. We have to make major changes and I am determined to bring in enough of the right type of characters and we need to get the balance of the squad right."