Middlesbrough FC news: Departing Sunderland forward quizzed on future plus Stoke City braced for injury update

Forward Duncan Watmore will leave Sunderland this summer and has been linked with a move to Middlesbrough.

Watmore, 26, will leave the Stadium of Light when his contract expires on June 30 after seven years on Wearside.

Over the weekend it was reported by the Sun’s Alan Nixon that Boro could be ready to snap up Watmore this summer, yet the forward says he’s prepared to be patient in uncertain times.

“I try and stay away from all that and let my agent do all that, so I couldn’t tell you that,” Watmore told our sister title the Sunderland Echo.

“I’m just letting it sink in, and I’ll just focus on staying fit.

“Most football clubs don’t know what’s going on at the moment and there’s just so much uncertainty. I’ve just got to wait and see and play it by ear, but I’ll be ready for what comes next.”

Stoke boss hopeful after Shawcross injury

Boro face relegation rivals Stoke City this weekend, and the Potters look set to be without captain Ryan Shawcross for the match.

The 32-year-old centre-back was forced off with a groin strain during Saturday’s 1-1 at Reading, yet Stoke boss Michael O'Neill is hopeful the injury isn’t too serious.

“Again it is very frustrating for Ryan that he comes back and picks up these niggly little injuries,” O’Neill told BBC Radio Stoke after the match.

“I thought in the game he had looked fine, it was disappointing to see him go down.

“It is difficult to assess it at this minute but the information we have to date is that it won’t keep him out for too long.”

Shawcross has made just four Championship appearances this season due to a foot injury.

Hemming helps out Blyth

Young Middlesbrough goalkeeper Zach Hemming has received praise from his loan club Blyth Spartans after donating to the club’s future fund.

The 20-year-old stopper has impressed since signing for the National League North club in November.

Spartans’ Twitter account posted: “So much love for this guy. @zachhemming1 continues to leave an outstanding and lasting impression on our club after kindly donating to our Future Fund!”