Winger puts any talk of summer Spurs move on the backburner

Boro
winger Stewart Downing has vowed to put any talk of a possible summer move to
WHL on the backburner as he fights to keep the Teesside club in the Premier
League.

The
England international was expected to leave his hometown club in the January
transfer window following numerous offers from Tottenham Hotspur.

Boro
refused to sell their prize asset with the club embroiled in a relegation
battle and Downing insists he is not contemplating his future until the club's
own situation becomes clear in the summer.

"When I spoke to the chairman, he said we would discuss it again in
the summer and I haven't got a problem with that," he said.

"I will just get on with it. There's too much to worry about with
the team situation at the minute than just my single problem, so let's see how
we do.

"Hopefully we do stay up because it would a great shame for this
town if we didn't.

"We have had to make a lot of cutbacks this season so it would be a
great achievement if we stay up and that's my priority at the moment.

"Obviously, I have got an England place to think of as well. I
could easily sulk until the summer, but what would be the point of that?

"I am here, so I may as well do my best and try to play well."