Middlesbrough boss Jonathan Woodgate has issued an update on the club's battle to retain the services of Jonny Howson and quest to land Jack Clarke from Tottenham.
Former United midfielder Howson is one of seven senior players who sees their contract on Teesside expire at the end of the season, raising concerns of a free transfer in the summer.
Meanwhile, Middlesbrough are also keen on signing Clarke on loan from Tottenham after his return from a loan stint at Elland Road in the first half of the campaign.
However, while Woodgate is confident a new deal can be secured to keep Howson at the Riverside Stadium, he's not optimistic about the club's chances of signing Clarke.
“I’m sure we’ll get Jonny sorted. I certainly hope we do because he’s been fantastic. Those type of players, you need them. He can play right-back, right wing-back, centre-back, No 10," he told Teesside Live.
“Jonny can play anywhere you ask him to and he will always do an excellent job. He can play in all those positions so he’s versatile but he’s more than that: he’s a leader in the dressing room. He leads by example and players like that are vital to any squad.”
On Clarke, he said: “Jack Clarke: I really like him. He’s a really, really top player. I do like Jack Clarke. Are we going to get him? I don’t think so but he’s a good, good player.”
Derby County, Millwall, Stoke City and QPR are all attributed with an interest in signing 19-year-old Clarke from Tottenham on loan during the January transfer window.
Middlesbrough have already bolstered their ranks with Premier League players, landing Patrick Roberts and Lukas Nmecha from Manchester City until the end of the campaign.
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