Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing admits that he
needs to playing Champions League football sooner rather than
later.
The 24-year-old England international insists he is happy
at Boro but concedes that if his hometown club cannot offer
football on Europe’s biggest stage then he may have to consider his
future.
Downing signed a new five-year contract with Middlesbrough in
February to end speculation over his immediate future.
“At the moment I'm focused on doing my best for Middlesbrough,”
Downing told the Middlesbrough Gazette.
"My mates are big Boro fans and they obviously want me to be at
Middlesbrough for all my career, and if we become a top team, a
Champions League team, then there would be no question about
going.
"But if we don't eventually make that step, then one day I might
have to make that decision. It's an important couple of years for
me.
"It might be good one day to do that, maybe move on and try
something different, I think every player likes to try something
new in their career and I'm no different."
