Boro winger Mark Yeates has been given the weekend to mull over an offer from tomorrow's opponents Sheffield United, manager Gordon Strachan revealed today.
Speaking at the pre match conference, Strachan, said: "He'll not be playing tomorrow. He's got the weekend to think about it, he's got to speak to his partner, as they have these days."
The fact that when initially asked if anybody was leaving - with mention of Gary O'Neil being linked with a move to Blackburn Rovers - Strachan answered "no", would suggest that as far as Strachan is concerned Yeates is no longer part of the club. But then, under Strachan, he never really was.
Despite being, on paper, exactly the kind of player Strachan is looking for - versatile, strong, quick and hard working, with experience of lower league football - there is something about Yeates that obviously does not appeal to the Boro manager.
Yeates has made only a handful of appearances in a Boro shirt since Strachan took over, the Irishman would be crazy to stay at Boro where he is clearly not wanted and pass up the chance to play Championship football every week for a team who look more likely to make the play-offs than Boro do.
Strachan has not gambled with the players he has brought in, he has stuck to what he knows. However with the fans unhappy with the results since the Scot took over, freezing out fan favourite Mark Yeates could be considered a big gamble, let's just hope it pays off.
First published on www.ComeOnBoro.com on 15-1-10
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