Middlesbrough agree to let Downing leave

Middlesbrough chief executive Keith Lamb has confirmed England winger Stewart Downing can leave if the club receive an acceptable offer.

Downing is currently recovering from a foot injury sustained in the penultimate game of the season against Aston Villa but Lamb does not expect that to put off any interested parties.

And with Middlesbrough looking to balance the books following relegation from the Barclays Premier League, the Teesside club are willing to listen to offers for a player who has come through the ranks at the Riverside.

Lamb told Sky Sports News: "Who knows whether Stewart will be here in August. If he is he will be playing for us in the Championship.

"But if the right offer comes along he will be allowed to leave."

Lamb is confident the 24-year-old will make a full recovery from his injury.

He added: "It has been suggested he could be out for as long as six months but he is quite a good healer and we hope he will be back before then.

"There is no reason why Stewart won't make a full recovery.

"He has been told that by the surgeon and he believes it. If someone wants to take a chance on him now, it's up to them. It's out of our hands."

Downing put in a transfer request in January with Tottenham making several bids to try to take him to White Hart Lane but Middlesbrough refused to sanction a move with their Premier League status in doubt.