Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate expects total commitment from his players, even those who could be on their way in the January transfer window. Boro lie just above the drop zone on goal difference with fears growing that the likes of Stewart Downing and Tuncay Sanli are set to leave.

Southgate said: "You have the option of rolling up your sleeves or deciding it's not for you. That applies to everyone and we need people who want to be here and want to fight for the cause.

"We are going to find things out over the next month or so. There will be a lot of talking and work on the training ground and whoever plays we have got 19 games to get as high up the table as we can."

Southgate added: "We're not blessed with confidence at the moment which affects people's touch and what they are prepared to do. But we have to start taking our chances.

"It's easy to start looking at all sorts of wild theories as to why we're not getting results but it's important to maintain a sense of calm and show the right determination and work ethic to get out of it."