MIDDLESBROUGH and Tottenham have emerged as favourites to win the race for Nicky Butt after the Manchester United midfielder's transfer request was reluctantly accepted by Sir Alex Ferguson.

Boro manager Steve McClaren recently admitted he would be "first on the phone'' if Butt - 29 a week today - became available.

And Spurs stand-in boss David Pleat, actively seeking to bolster his midfield, has in the past admitted his admiration for the £5m-rated England international, who Pele singled out as one of the stars of the last World Cup.

Newcastle have been linked with Butt and Sir Bobby Robson is known to be another fan of one of the original "Fergie Fledglings''.

But Robson has an embarrassment of midfield options and his immediate priorities lie elsewhere, with a right-back and a striker topping his list of targets.

Butt played under McClaren for almost two-and-a-half years when he was right-hand man to Old Trafford manager Ferguson, and also while the Boro boss was assistant to England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Days before Christmas, McClaren said of Butt: "He would be the perfect player for us. If there was any possibility of getting him I would be first on the phone.

"Nicky is someone I know very well. He has not been happy at not getting in the side and all he wants to do is play football.''

England assistant manager Tord Grip believes Butt's international prospects would benefit from an Old Trafford exit.

Butt, whose decision to leave the Red Devils after 12 years means he is turning his back on a £1m testimonial, has been troubled by injuries and frustrated by a dearth of first-team opportunities this season following the arrival of Brazilian Kleberson, emergence of Darren Fletcher and Phil Neville's move into midfield.

Grip said: ''It's better for him to get back playing regularly. If he wants a move and United are willing to let him go, it's good if he can play a bit more.

"He has been an important player for us. He is so good with the holding role. He is experienced, disciplined and has good feet''

Birmingham boss Steve Bruce, who played alongside Butt at Man. United, and Everton's David Moyes have also been credited with an interest, but neither are flush with transfer funds.

Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan would love to lure Butt, but derby enmities would complicate such a project.

Cash-strapped Spurs may explore the possibility of a loan deal for Butt, while the strength of Boro's spending power is unclear.

Pleat, who made an abortive attempt to sign Dutch star Edgar Davids on loan from Juventus, has ruled out any Spurs interest in Leicester's former Boro target Muzzy Izzet.

Newcastle boss Robson seems happy to stick with old midfield warhorse Gary Speed, who is under contract for a further 18 months.

The evergreen Wales skipper, 35 in September, shows no signs of slowing up as he edges towards becoming the first player to make 400 Premiership appearances - he is three short of the milestone.

Speed has figured in all but one of his side's 29 games this season, and Robson said: "I'm delighted with him, but I'm not really amazed because I know the lad.

"He is a fitness fanatic; he prepares well, he warms up well, he looks after himself, he knows what he has to do and he's in good shape.

"The way he's playing at the moment, I have no feeling about leaving him out or even resting him.

"If, in the second half of the season he can play exactly as he's done in the first half, he will have had a wonderful year of football and fitness, and been a very influential player in our squad.''

* Boro midfielder Gaizka Mendieta is back in training after recovering from the virus which forced him to miss the last two matches.

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