Gera ready for speculation

According to reports emanating from Hungary, Zoltan Gera could be very close to joining Middlesbrough.

The 27-year-old, capped 40 times by Hungary, did not play in West Brom's FA Cup game versus Leeds United at the weekend.

Hungarian newspaper Nemzeti Sport reports that the 'Magic Magyar' missed the game because Boro officials asked The Baggies to leave him out of the team, so as not to cup-tie the talented schemer.

Gera, who reportedly also interests Wigan, Portsmouth, Aston Villa and West Ham United, is not though getting too carried away with all the transfer speculation currently abound.

"This is my fifth transfer season since I've been playing in England so I've got used to the situation that surrounds me at the moment," Gera told Nemzeti Sport.

"I don't take these rumours too seriously because I've experienced it in the past too and in most cases, they were either just speculations or my club rejected the offers that haven't been suitable for them.

"My future is in the hands of the manager and chairman, until then I'm contracted to West Brom."

Boro boss Gareth Southgate has previously denied tabling a firm offer for Gera and it remains to be seen whether reports from Hungary have serious credence.