Boro Blog: Woody Makes His Move

Jonathan Woodgate ended any lingering doubt over his future yesterday as he sealed his move to Spurs for a, so far, undisclosed fee.

Southgate signed Woodgate on loan from Real Madrid back in 2006 as a like for like replacement for himself, after he swapped the captain's armband for the managerial hot seat. Woodgate impressed during his loan spell and BORO opted to take up their option to sign him on a permanent basis, last May.

However, following a successful run in the BORO first team alongside both Emanuel Pogatetz and more recently David Wheater, Woodgate started to suffer with recurring niggling injuries; the sorts of which have plagued his entire career and reduced him to just a handful of games whilst at Real Madrid.

His Success in the BORO side earned him a recall to the England team, under former BORO boss Steve McClaren, featuring alongside Stewart Downing in the side that faced Spain last year.

However his recent injuries have allowed Robert Huth and an on fire David Wheater to form a formidable partnership in the centre of BORO's defence, leaving Woodgate feeling unsettled. BORO boss, Gareth Southgate, stressed that the club wants every player to want to be playing for BORO, or else they might as well leave,

"You're looking for everyone at your club to want to be here and be part of it.

"We were then asking a question of Jonathan, do you want to be here and be part of what we want to do or do you want to head off? And it seems he wanted to head off.", he told MFC.co.uk

There has definitely been more outward action than inward, this transfer window as BORO wave goodbye to youngster Josh Walker who has joined SPL outfit Aberdeen on loan until the end of the season.

BORO also saw, arguably, their best home grown striking prospect Ben Hutchinson agree a pre-contract agreement with SPL giants Celtic. Hutchinson has impressed in brief first team appearances for BORO this season, but the striker has failed to agree a new contract with BORO and has agreed to join Celtic when his current contract runs out, at the end of the season.

Afonso Alves is expected to complete his move to BORO "imminently" as talks are concluding over a fee for the player and chief executive Kieth Lamb prepares an appeal for the player's work permit. Initial requests expect to be turned away as Alves has failed to make the required number of International appearances to qualify him for a work permit. Gareth Southgate believes that the appeal, however, should bring more success as the player is 'of exceptional talent',

"Given the quality of the player and his record in Holland, we would be hopeful."

The club remain confident that, if everything can be tied up quickly, Alves could be available for the away clash at local rivals Newcastle on Sunday and the player could join new England boss Fabio Capello, who will be in the stands tonight for BORO's home game against Wigan.