Southgate patient over signings

Southgate has signed Yeates, but other arrivals may have to wait

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate says he may need to offload players to raise funds before he brings in new talent for next season.

Southgate has completed a deal for Colchester winger Mark Yeates, but further transfers are dependent on which players remain with the club.

He told BBC Tees: "We're not sitting waiting, we are proactive, but how far we go depends on who moves on.

"Ideally you'll have everyone you want out and in by the time we report back."

It was thought that Premier League vultures would swoop for the club's assets such as David Wheater, Tuncay and the injured Stewart Downing.

Yet all three remain Middlesbrough players, and Southgate says he needs them, along with new signings to get the right balance to bring the club back into the top flight.

"We've got to be mindful of covering everything, we need players of Premier League experience and quality," he said.

"I want players who have played in the Championship, the type of player who has a desperate desire to play in the Premier League.

"We want a mix of experience, hunger, energy, but we have to have quality as well, and we need to get the balance right."