Boro rubbish Viduka sale talk

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has rubbished reports suggesting Mark Viduka was for sale.

It was reported that Southgate was considering letting the Australian ace leave the club - should a club make an offer of around £3 million.

Blackburn and Newcastle have been linked, but Southgate - who looks set to lose Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to a Bosman transfer this weekend - has no intention of letting Viduka leave.

"The reports about Mark being available are utter rubbish," he told the club's website.

"He is a big part of my plans for next season and beyond.

"I don't need to tell anyone how important he is to our team.

"He is enjoying a well-deserved rest now following the World Cup, but I look forward to welcoming Mark back to Rockliffe Park in July."

Meanwhile, Southgate confirmed that exciting young winger Adam Johnson had penned a new contract - as skysports.com revealed.

"I'm pleased that we've managed to ensure Adam will stay with us for at least the next four years," he added.

"He has shown already, when playing for the reserves and the first team, that he's got great potential.

"Now it's for us to try to develop that potential and for Adam to display the desire that will enable him to push on and become a regular first team player."