Southgate has spent the last couple of weeks having to fend off questions about the future of Egypt international Mido after he revealed Wigan's interest in taking him on loan.

In addition, there has been further speculation that Liverpool would test his resolve to hang onto England winger Stewart Downing, a target for both Tottenham and Everton in the recent past.

However, as he reflected upon the club's best start to a season in nine years following the 2-1 win over Stoke, Southgate insisted there would be no further arrivals or departures.

He said: "We are not doing any business between now and the end of Monday.

"We felt the most important thing was to hang onto our best players and the size of the squad is just about right.

"That was the key for me, making sure the players we have got are with us. Lots of situations will settle down after Monday and it is good that everyone knows they are here because I want them here and because they have got a big part to play."

Southgate did not mention Mido by name - the former Spurs man has started all three league games to date on the bench and did not get off it during yesterday's win - but he has taken a firm line over his £6million signing.

With Afonso Alves and Tuncay Sanli currently the manager's first-choice partnership, Mido has grown increasingly impatient.

His return to full fitness and three goals in as many appearances have understandably increased his desire for regular football, but with Jeremie Aliadiere and summer signing Marvin Emnes also pushing for places, Southgate has the competition he wants.

He added: "There are several in the squad that are pushing for places and that competition is important.

"The difficult thing at the moment is whoever you pick or leave out, or bring on or take off, it's the wrong thing.

"I suppose it is the right thing because people have got the goals and we have got the points.

"This squad is going to be important. They have all got to be ready and they have all go to play their part.

"The season is a bit disjointed with all the international breaks at the moment, so for those who aren't getting a game it seems an even longer period without playing.

"But once they come back from this one and we get into October, November, that's when everybody will be getting their opportunities, there's no question."

Boro go into the break with six points under their belt, one fewer than the manager had targeted, but a creditable return nonetheless.

But they did so after a rollercoaster afternoon at the Riverside Stadium during which promoted Stoke went some of the way to dispelling their early labelling as a long ball team.

Where the Teessiders were disjointed for the opening 35 minutes, the Potters' football was compact and progressive, and their aggression unsettled Boro.

However, that perhaps got the better of midfielder Amdy Faye when he lunged two-footed at Mohamed Shawky, and the inevitable red card completely changed the complexion of the game.

Alves' stunning free-kick put Boro ahead and the win should really have been wrapped up when Southgate's men were awarded a 64th-minute penalty for Seyi Olofinjana's trip on Alves.

But when Downing smashed the spot-kick against the crossbar after Alves and Tuncay Sanli had wasted glorious opportunities, the visitors sensed there might still be something for them in the game.

The 10 men levelled with 19 minutes remaining when full-back Justin Hoyte bundled Liam Lawrence's cross into his own net, and it took Tuncay's 85th-minute strike to rescue victory.