Boro - Downing can leave

Downing: Could leave

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• Stewart Downing

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Middlesbrough chief executive Keith Lamb has confirmed the club will allow Stewart Downing to leave if the correct offer is received.

Boro were relegated from the Premier League at the end of the season and are expected to reshape their squad with a view to securing automatic Championship promotion.

The Riverside outfit are keen to keep hold of their star players but, with chairman Steve Gibson said to be prepared to listen to offers, it now appears that England winger Downing will move on.

Downing - who handed in a transfer request in January amidst failed interest from Tottenham - is currently recovering from a broken foot, but he still looks set for a transfer.

Lamb told Sky Sports News: "We said to Stewart that we would give him the opportunity to leave the football club if the right club came along for him and for the football club.

Commitment

"That commitment that the chairman and myself gave Stewart is still there."

Lamb expects Downing to fully recover from his foot surgery, despite some reports suggesting the player could be sidelined for six months.

The 24-year-old's surgeon has predicted complete fitness will be regained, but Lamb acknowledges that any proposed transfer before the start of the new season in August could be viewed as a gamble.

"It is unfortunate that he picked up that injury. But he is now in rehabilitation," added Lamb.

Full recovery

"Who knows whether Stewart will still be here come August. If he is here, then he will be part of the squad and playing for us in the Championship. Stewart understands that.

"If the right offer comes along for him, then he will be allowed to leave.

"There is absolutely no reason why Stewart won't make a full recovery from this injury. He has been told that by the surgeon. He believes that.

"Who knows if someone wants to take a chance and take him now, that is down to them. It is out of our hands."