Schwarzer offered new deal

Southgate eager for Australian to stay

By Lewis Rutledge   Last updated: 17th May 2008

Mark Schwarzer

Schwarzer: Future still uncertain

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Mark Schwarzer has been offered a new deal by Middlesbrough but Gareth Southgate remains unsure whether he will stay at the club.

The Australian goalkeeper is out of contract this summer and has been strongly linked with a move away from the Riverside.

Southgate deliberately delayed opening contract talks with many of his players until Boro's Premier League safety had been secured, and he admits it was a difficult decision over Schwarzer.

"Mark is at the end of his current contract and we decided we would make him an offer," Southgate told the club's official website.

"It was difficult to do that when we didn't know what division we would be in.

Experience

"And I had to think long and hard about whether I wanted Mark to stay and whether that would impact on the other goalkeepers we have at the club.

"But if I can keep him it would be good, his experience is important to us."

Southgate is aware that Schwarzer might want to leave Middlesbrough and he is happy for the 35-year-old to make the decision.

He explained: "We're in negotiations with Mark, but I'm also aware he has other options as well and he might feel he's been a fantastic servant to this club and he's ready for a change himself.

"From January he has been able to speak to other clubs across Europe. I have a fair idea how far down the line those talks are, but we wanted to give him something to think about in terms of a contract offer from ourselves."