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Stewart Downing heading for Middlesbrough exit because of bizarre contract clause
Stewart Downing is heading for the exit at Middlesbrough due to a bizarre clause in his contract.
Downing will be made available after it emerged that he is entitled to an improved deal at the Championship club if he makes one more start for them.
Downing, who came on as a substitute in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Millwall, currently earns £35,000-a-week but will be given a pay rise if he plays one more match due to a clause in the deal agreed when he re-signed for his hometown club in 2015.
Middlesbrough are battling to lower their wage bill after huge expenditure in the last two years under chairman Steve Gibson and it seems inevitable that Downing, 34, will now leave the Riverside Stadium this month, provided a club can be found who will be willing to match his wage demands.
It is understood Downing held talks with the Middlesbrough board last week and both parties have agreed that he can leave if an acceptable offer comes in.
Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis is working on January signings and has already recruited Rajiv van La Parra on loan from Huddersfield in a bid to boost the club's promotion prospects.
Middlesbrough are unbeaten in their last five games and currently sit fifth in the Championship table, six points adrift of the automatic promotion places.