Boro boss plays down January sale

Last updated : 04 January 2011 By BBC Sport

Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray has said players in his squad will not be allowed to leave "on the cheap" during the January transfer window.However, he admitted that members of his squad could leave to ease pressure on the wage bill at the Riverside.

"The chairman has come out publicly and said 'No one will leave on the cheap', which is sound advice really," Mowbray told BBC Tees.

"There's no fire sale - if people leave it'll be for the right money."

Mowbray added: "We've had no concrete offers for any player, just tentative enquiries.

"The balance is always time against finance really. We're well aware, in this window or the next one, we need to address the fact of salaries, and the outgoings against the incomings."

I've just been told that Twitter will tell you whether Kevin's injury will be long term or not, which is frustrating

Tony Mowbray on Kevin Thomson

Middlesbrough defender David Wheater is among the players who have been linked with a move.

Meanwhile the former Celtic boss has revealed his frustrations at another setback for midfielder Kevin Thomson, who missed Monday's 1-1 draw with Norwich City.

The Scotland international broke his leg in August's goalless draw with Leicester City, but appeared to have put his problems behind him with a run of four straight games that ended in the 1-1 draw with Leeds on New Year's Day.

"I've just been told that Twitter will tell you whether Kevin's injury will be long term or not, which is frustrating for me," Mowbray said.

"That's for me and the medical department and Kevin to discuss.

"Last time, I gave him two weeks off from any training and got him through the games, so whether it's the same plan, whether he has to roll his socks up and get two shin pads on, we'll wait and see."

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport