Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is hoping to sit down with goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to discuss his future on Teesside.

The 35-year-old Australian is out of contract at the end of the current season and could leave the club on a free transfer unless he signs a new deal.

Talks were put on hold until the new year at Schwarzer's request.

Asked if there had been any subsequent progress, Southgate said: "Not at the moment, no.

"Mark's contract is up in the summer but it's one of those situations where he is playing so well, you don't want to upset things.

"But it is a situation I am conscious of. He didn't want to talk about it until January at the earliest.

"I have got a very good relationship with him, but I need to talk to him and see what his thoughts are as much as anything."

Schwarzer joined the club in a £1.5million move from Bradford in February 1997 and has been first-choice goalkeeper ever since.

However, like compatriot Mark Viduka - who joined Derby rivals Newcastle last summer after seeing out his Boro contract - he is yet to commit himself to the club once more.

The Teessiders have made good progress on contracts in recent weeks, with England winger Stewart Downing having agreed a new five-year deal last Friday.

The 23-year-old is yet to formally put pen to paper on the deal, but Southgate insists there is nothing untoward in that.

He said: "We thought it would have been done this week - it's just that we've been off for a couple of days.

"There's nothing sinister about it - it's just literally typing things up and making sure the wording is right.

"As with any contract, it has to go to one side's solicitors to make sure everything is right. It's just physically being here and getting it all done.

"There is no stumbling block as such.

"I know Stewart is keen to just get it done - and I'm sure that will be done in the next couple of days or so.

"He is even more settled now than he was two weeks ago."

Boro are also hoping to confirm 21-year-old defender David Wheater on a long-term contract after his emergence as a genuine first-team player this season.

Talks are progressing well, and Southgate hopes that agreement will be reached soon.

He said: "We are very close. I wouldn't want to put a timescale on it, but certainly all the talks have been very positive.

"David has said both privately and publicly that he wants to be here - and we are hoping to progress that very soon."

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