Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is confident Tuncay Sanli is happy on Teesside.

Reacting to reports today that the Turkey international regrets his Boro move, Southgate told the club's official website: "It's nonsense, so I'm not prepared to be distracted from our preparations for Saturday's game against Sunderland.

"I actually saw these supposed quotes from Tuncay a couple of weeks ago and asked him about them. There's no truth to them. He's committed to the challenge.

"His reaction after the game last Saturday certainly didn't suggest to me someone that wasn't 100 per cent committed to the club and what we're trying to do.

"Tuncay has been a substitute for some of our early games, but there's every chance he'll be playing against Sunderland on Saturday.

"The truth is that we've been delighted with him and I'm sure he'll be a big success over here. He's a smashing character and a great professional."