Middlesbrough chief executive Keith Lamb has admitted Stewart Downing's injury could prove to be a bonus for the club.
The 24-year-old England international sustained a foot injury in the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa in the penultimate game of the last campaign and will be sidelined for between four and six months. That could mean prospective buyers may wait until next January to make their move.
"The extent of his injury suggests that we will have to wait." Lamb told the Evening Gazette. "But if Stewart is still here in September, then we will be delighted."
He added: "We don't know how long he will be out, but I believe that he will overcome the injury reasonably quickly.
"It means that we will have him playing for us in the Championship terrorising defences, and that's got to be a good thing for Middlesbrough."
Boro, who rejected a bid of around £15million for Downing from Tottenham in January this year, have made no secret of the fact they will sell the midfielder if the right offer comes along following assurances given to him by chairman Steve Gibson at the time.
However, the long period of rehabilitation he faces could yet see him turn out for his home-town club in the Coca-Cola Championship, at least for a few months.
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if they didnt taqke so much cocain it would be a good club
the whole team take cocain anyhow,like the police in middlesbrough,and ray mallon
and
hey well downing is rubbish or has been rubbish if thats what you would like to say. i agree and always have that johnson needs a chance and is a far better player than our stewy. so he should be sold and we would get about 10 million for him as he has been overated highly!
as a spurs fan i can only hope he is out longer, he is a piss poor player and boro deserve a player who can give them 100 per cent, we dont want him at the lane, bounce back boro you belong in the prem
As I life long Boro fan I say sell. We need 3 or 4 strong consistent players that are proven and will fight to get us promoted.
Downing has moments of brilliance but sadly they have been few and far between for most of the last season. The guy cant even clear the first defender on set pieces.
Johnson is quality and that position is well covered.
We dont want a season of fighting for promotion overshadowed by the will he stay or will he go !!!!
Oh and Soutgate out for me :-)
Downing has got to assess his own position, he showed well in the England shirt but I felt he was not always too convincing in the latter part of the season, it seems the finger of fate strikes again in that trying to avoid injury can cost you dearly. Stuart does not need to prove himself in the championship and I agree with all of those who sing the praises of Johnson. I will add another name, Emnes into the frame. Could be proved wrong but this guy is fast and I feel it will not be too long before the "headless chicken" becomes a star. Allow Stuart to regain his fitness but not at the expense of the Johnson /Emnes development. In no way should Boro think of benefiting from an unfortunate injury to one of its players. Cameron w again talks good sense.
"BORO TO SPURS" anyone? hahahaha
johnson is far, far better than Downing anyway; get shot and start building for the future - although i can't help thinking you could also do with getting shot of your 'manager'.
I like most will be glad to hear the back of this. the only way for the talk to stop is for downing to withdraw his transfer request or be sold. If he is sold i hope johnson gets his chance but knowing boro a replacement will be bought instead.
dont let him go hes a boro lad, if money talks pay him to stay
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