Middlesbrough haven't given up on convincing Matthew Bates to sign a new contract.

Wigan Athletic, West Ham and Sunderland are all chasing the utility and Boro chief Keith Lamb said: "Matthew has a real dilemma. He's a local boy with a great love for the football club.

"His dilemma is his heart tells him he should stay at Middlesbrough because it's his local team and he wants us to do well and get us back into the Premier League as quickly as possible.

"It's going to be difficult for Matthew, but contract negotiations are continuing and we're hopeful we can persuade him to stay with Middlesbrough and that this is where his future lies.

"We are still very hopeful that he will stay. If he goes we'll understand the reasons, but he knows we don't want him go and we're optimistic he'll stay."