Middlesbrough defender David Wheater wants to stay at The Riverside in order to help the club back to the Premier League.
Gareth Southgate's side were relegated from the top flight on 'Survival Sunday' as they lost 2-1 at West Ham.
But Wheater, who has impressed England boss Fabio Capello this season, insists he is not put off by the prospect of playing in the Championship.
However, the centre-back fears he could be sold to raise funds as Boro look to soften the financial blow of relegation.
"I've got two more years left here so it is up to the manager," said the 22-year-old.
"I'm happy to stay here. I won't ask for a transfer but if the manager accepts another bid then that is a different matter.
"Maybe if I was 28 or 29 and still hadn't played for England then I might be thinking differently but I've got plenty of years ahead to get in the England squad.
"I've supported Boro all my life so they are a team I want to be playing for at the moment and try to get them back up.
"That's where I want to be, the Premier League with Middlesbrough. I think we can get straight back. I think we have enough quality to do that."
But Wheater believes team-mates Stewart Downing and Tuncay Sanli have too much ability to play in England's second tier.
"I think Stewart Downing is too good for the Championship," Wheater said. "Tuncay as well, he's too good for the Championship. But it is down to them.
"I'd like to think that I'm too good for the Championship but that's obviously where I'm heading at the moment."
0 comments:
Post a Comment