Rocky to lead Boro departures

Fabio Rochemback is set to head a string of high-profile casualties at Middlesbrough this January.

Boro boss Gareth Southgate looks ready to overhaul his squad and there will be a number of big-name departures.

Rochemback has fallen out of favour under Southgate, after failing to convince the new Boro boss that he could be the man to inspire from midfield.

The former Barcelona man is on a big contract at The Riverside, so a permanent deal - in January anyway - looks unlikely meaning a loan move could be an option.

A number of clubs in Portugal, including his former team Sporting Lisbon, and Spain are thought to be considering an approach.

Another player who could very well head for Spain is Gaizka Mendieta.

Mendieta too is out of favour under the Southgate regime, with recent injuries curtailing his ability to make any sort of impact.

Former England internationals Ray Parlour and Ugo Ehiogu could also have easily played their last games for the Teesside outfit.

Mark Viduka's future will also again come under the spotlight with just six months left on his current deal.

Newcastle are understood to still be keen on the Australian and, as in August, could mount a bid to lure the former Leeds man to St James' Park.

Record signing Massimo Maccarone is another looking likely to leave and in recent days a number of Italian clubs have hinted they could be interested in making a bid for the former Empoli front-man.