Gary O’Neil set for new Middlesbrough deal

(GSM)- Championship outfit Middlesbrough have an option to extend captain Gary O’Neil’s contract for an additional two seasons by the end of December. O’Neil is wanted by several Premier League clubs and Boro believe that the contract extension will make the player keep other clubs away from their star midfielder.

The new deal would tie the hard-working midfielder on Teesside until 2012. The new contract will also make O’Neil the highest paid player in the Championship and thus keep him away from any clubs that had been interested in louring him in January.

O’Neil has been made captain at Middlesbrough since the arrival of Gordon Strachan who succeeded Gareth Southgate as Boro manager.

Gary O’Neil, 26, is seen as a key player in his manager’s plans and intends to remain at the club.

Middlesbrough are hoping that O’Neil would stay at Riverside to aid the team’s efforts to put their faltering Premier League promotion bid back on track.