Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is grateful to Portsmouth's Harry Redknapp for the capture of Gary O'Neil.

Southgate said: "It would be good to have Gary back because George Boateng is banned. There were times when I didn't think I was going to be able to sign him. Gary's somebody we trailed for a long time so we were delighted to get him when we did.

"Harry wanted to be able to do something else in the transfer market and that played into our hands because he needed the money we were prepared to pay for Gary O'Neil. His energy has been a massive plus and his experience has really helped.

"Even though he's only 24, he has a lot of Premier League games under his belt. In the two games he's been out of the side, we've really missed him."