Southgate made to wait by Viduka

Viduka has been linked with a move to Newcastle

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate said his patience has been tested by Mark Viduka who has yet to decide whether his future is at the club.

The Australia international will be available for free next month if he opts not to sign a new deal with Boro.

"I spoke to him but he was at a beach and in no rush - his biggest choice was which flavour ice-cream to have," Southgate told the Northern Echo.

"For us it would be handy to know. It hugely affects what we want to do."

Southgate added: "I do have ideas in mind if he was to go but they are not clear cut. It's not at the stage where I have put in any bids.

"We probably need a striker, because we are losing Malcolm Christie, so it's whether we need someone to replace him or to sit on the bench to develop."