Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate has reiterated that winger Stewart Downing is not for sale.

The England star only penned a new five-year contract in February after Tottenham failed to seal a swoop for him.

Downing finished the Premier League season in fine style before linking up with England for their friendlies with France and Trinidad & Tobago.

Now fresh speculation has linked him with Liverpool, but Southgate has insisted Downing is very much part of his plans.

"We have to accept there will be speculation about our players and, if they're the quality of Stewart and have had the sort of season he has, that's inevitable," said Southgate.

"Stewart knows exactly what I want to try and achieve here and, as far as we are concerned, he's not for sale.

"I fought long and hard to keep him and get him on a new contract during the course of last season and I think we saw an increased maturity in his performances towards the end."

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