Emanuel Pogatetz is eager for Middlesbrough to hang onto Tottenham target Stewart Downing.

"Stewart is an important player for us, I hope he stays," said the Boro skipper.

"He is a local boy and loves it here. He has a new contract. The most important thing is that we keep our star players at the club.

"Secondly we have to look and see if we have the funds to bring players in, because that would be nice.

"I think we have a good squad. We are very young and maybe lack a bit of experience but I think in the future we will have a very good team.

"That's why I hope in the winter we can hold onto our top players and if we can add one or two that would be a bonus."