Middlesbrough chief Keith Lamb insists midfielder Gary O'Neil will not be moving to Portsmouth.

O'Neil is understood to be unsettled after a difficult first season in the north-east, although Boro have rejected suggestions that he too has handed in his own transfer request amid suggestions he could return to Portsmouth.

Lamb said: "We have not received a transfer request from Gary, but if we did receive one it would be rejected, as would any offer from another club.

"We believe that this squad of players is strong enough to substantially improve our league position and we are committed to keeping the squad together."