Boro wants Wheater to stay

Middlesbrough are set to double the wages for David Wheater and the new deal is close to be signed

Boro boss Gareth Southgate has confirmed that he expects Wheater to sign a new long-term deal in the next two weeks.

He would actually be out of contract the end of season and has ignited speculation that the Teesside might lose the 20-year old stopper.

Southgate says that they have got a couple of meetings lined up with Wheater's dad in the coming weeks."David wants to be here, he's made that clear, and it's just a case of finalising things. We're obviously very, very happy with what he's doing." Southgate adds.

Wheater himself says he is fully committed to Boro; "There's nothing better than playing for Middlesbrough and hopefully I can stay here for a very long time."