Downing pledges his future to....

On-loan winger Stewart Downing, who prompted chants of "sign him up!" at the recent Baggies' match, has gone on record as saying he sees his long-term future at Middlesbrough.

Downing is currently with us on an initial month-long loan from Boro and impressed many Sunderland supporters with his form during his first match in the red and white, despite having only limited chances at his home club on Teesside.

He told Middlesbrough's official website today, "I want to do well for Sunderland so I can go back to Middlesbrough and play first team football. But Boro have signed world class players like Zenden and Mendieta and I've been pushed further down the pecking order. With players like that coming to the club it's hard for me to be given a fair crack of the whip.

"I was born in Middlesbrough and supported the club all my life, so obviously it is my dream to play for them.

"I've had stick from my mates for coming to Sunderland but they realise I need to play first team football so it's died down."

But the 19 year old spoke highly of his experience with Sunderland so far, saying "It's a Premiership club and hopefully they can get back up there. It has superb facilities and everyone knows about the fans."

But even though he sees his long-term future as being back on Teesside, Stewart says he knows his loan spell at Sunderland may be extended, depending on how he does. "My loan deal is for a month at the moment but it could still be extended - that's up to the managers."