Middlesbrough have rubbished claims striker Afonso Alves was signed behind manager Gareth Southgate's back.

"It's been suggested that a lot of the decisions were made higher up but that is not true at all. Anyone who knows Gareth realises he would not stand for someone else making decisions for him," said Boro chief Keith Lamb.

Alves, 28, currently recovering from a broken foot picked up against Newcastle towards the end of the season, will be sold this summer - though Boro are resigned to making a hefty loss on the deal.

"It's not rocket science. The chances of certain players staying on will be less than others," added Lamb.