Southgate dismisses Neville link

(GETTY IMAGES)

Gareth Southgate has dismissed claims he has offered former England team-mate Phil Neville a coaching role at Middlesbrough.

A report today suggested the 32-year-old Everton skipper had been approached about a job with Southgate's backroom team.

However, the Boro boss insisted that is not the case, and admitted he would have little chance of prising him away from Goodison Park even if it was.

Southgate said: "The only time I have spoken to Phil is when we were in the same hotel together on holiday.

"While I would love to have someone of his ability at our club, I imagine he's a key part of what David Moyes wants to do at Everton.

"He's just captained them to an FA Cup final and I would not even think of approaching him."

Meanwhile, the Teessiders hope to complete a deal to take Colchester winger Mark Yeates to the Riverside Stadium later today.

The 24-year-old has been on Teesside for a medical and to discuss personal terms after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed fee, understood to be in he region of £500,000.