Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has insisted skipper George Boateng has a future at the club despite rumours he could be on his way.The 32-year-old Dutchman's agent, Barry Silkman, revealed earlier this week that Boateng, who did not make the 16 for the New Year's Day clash with Everton despite being available after suspension, that there had been enquiries about the midfielder amid suggestions he could leave Teesside.

Boateng is not in the squad for Saturday's FA Cup third-round trip to Bristol City either with several clubs thought to be monitoring his situation.

However, Southgate, who handed his former Aston Villa and Boro team-mate the captain's armband when he took over as manager two summers ago, insists he is still part of his plans.

The 37-year-old said: "He is our player and we have got a small squad. We are not in a rush to lose any of our players.

"It's a bit of a strange one at the moment, but we have just got to deal with it.

"It is that time of year when players will be linked with us and players will be linked with going away from us.

"It's an unsettling period at any club - I am sure other clubs are the same.

"I am sure all managers are delighted when January is finished because you end up feeling you need to explain things that are in newspapers to lads when there is no truth sometimes, there is an element of truth sometimes and sometimes it is fact.

"It is very difficult for everybody at this time of year and this is one of those stories.

"We will have to see where we go with it, but we are not in a rush to lose any of our players."

Southgate, however, admitted the speculation may have unsettled the player.

He said: "Temporarily it has, but we have to deal with that internally and find the best solution for everybody.

"But we don't want players to leave the club, especially experienced players, and I have made that clear to George."

Southgate is currently planning his own foray into the winter transfer market, although he does not expect to make an immediate impact as he attempts to invest wisely.

Chairman Steve Gibson has promised to back him financially, and although he may not have countless millions to spend, he insists the club remains ambitious despite former striker Ayegbeni Yakubu's attack this week.

Southgate said: "That's his feeling and that is one of the reasons he moved on.

"People must not mistake ambition for funds or financial clout - the facts of the matter are we are a club which gets gates of between 26,000 and 30,000, so clearly our revenue is not the same as some other clubs in the league.

"But it does not mean we are any less ambitious, it just means perhaps we are not able to splash the money as some other clubs have been."

The financial side of the game is something in which Southgate has had to get involved since his emergence from the dressing room, but it is a part of the job he does not necessarily enjoy.

He said: "I do not particularly like the business side of football - I got into the game because I wanted to play.

"I do feel that outlook has changed now in the professional game a bit - but that is modern society to a degree, that's the situation and everybody has to get on with it."

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