Wage demands may scupper Southgate move for Sidwell

Gareth Southgate has made Steve Sidwell his number one target this summer, but Middlesbrough are baulking at the Chelsea midfielder's £50,000-a-week wage demands.

Southgate met his players yesterday and promised a new hardline approach. Former team-mates George Boateng and Mark Schwarzer could both leave this summer and Fabio Rochemback was told his current wage demands will not be met.

Southgate called the meeting after being disappointed and frustrated during a season that saw Middlesbrough flirt with relegation, despite having spent more than £40m since he succeeded Steve McClaren two years ago. He wants to again impose his stamp on the team and believes bringing in Sidwell would do that.

However he faces competition from Everton and Aston Villa for the 25-year-old, who is available for just £2m.

Cleveland Police meanwhile have admitted one of their officers was injured during violent scenes with Manchester City supporters at the Riverside Stadium on Sunday.