Mowbray says Williams going nowhere

Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray has moved to clear speculation linking Rhys Williams with a move away from the club.

The likes of Premier League outfits Liverpool, West Bromwich, Newcastle and Bolton have all been reported to be keen on the 23-year-old Australia defender but Mowbray insisted they were not pondering letting him go.

“I’m pretty sure that anyone we don’t want to lose won’t be leaving,” Mowbray said.

“Rhys Williams is not out of contract and talking to him the boy’s pretty comfortable here so I don’t see that being an issue.”

“He wants to try and help us get back to the Premier League.”

Perth-born Williams, who can also play in midfield, has been a regular for Middlesbrough this term, making 20 appearances in all competitions.

Meanwhile, Mowbray also praised Australian striker Scott McDonald who played 75 minutes of Saturday’s 2-0 home loss to Burnley, having passed a fitness test on a groin injury.

“We were desperately struggling for strikers. Scott deserves great credit for playing today. Two days ago it looked as though he was going to be out for three weeks but he’s put his shirt on and played,” Mowbray said.