Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate insists he's not seeking to offload striker Afonso Alves to Benfica.

"He's very much part of what we're doing," Southgate said. "We need quality in the side between now and the end of the season.

"From time to time it helps any player to stand back and have a look at things. I'm certain he'll want to prove a point when he gets back into the team."