Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson has strongly denied reports he is ready to sell the club, as claimed by the Sunday Express. "This report is totally inaccurate. The club is not for sale. I'm absolutely committed to Middlesbrough Football Club and I'm going to stay with the club. The fans can ignore this silly report.

"I've made that absolutely clear in the recent past. My sole focus for Middlesbrough Football Club is getting us back in the Premier League. That's what we're all working towards and we believe we can do it."

Boro chief executive Keith Lamb was in total agreement.

"Steve and I have gone to extraordinary lengths recently to make it clear to the media that the club is not for sale and never has been," said Lamb.

"Steve's commitment remains as strong as ever. We would not normally react to what has become known as football's 'silly season' but this is so wide of the mark it's important Boro fans know that Steve's loyalty to the club has never wavered."