Gordon fears 'exodus' if Boro exit Premiership

Left-back Gordon admitted that managerial uncertainty on Teesside is preying on the minds of players who don't know for sure where their futures lie.

Gordon, 28, is one weighing up his options as Boro look to allay lingering relegation fears.

The former England Under-21 international, who has battled back after a career-threatening cruciate ligament injury, only has a year left on his contract and ideally wants a new deal.

But with question marks against the future of head coach Terry Venables and manager Bryan Robson, Gordon is anxious to see Boro secure safety and make a swift decision over who leads them next season.

That could come soon. A point today at home to champions Manchester United, coupled with defeat for Coventry in their do-or-die Highfield Road duel with Liverpool, will as good as guarantee Boro Premiership status.

Venables, who has plotted the escape route, is due to leave at the end of the season.

The ex-England boss, lined up for a high-profile role with ITV, insists he won't confirm his next move until the season is over.

But Gordon said: "I think Terry already knows what he will do, but he's just waiting to see if we stay up. I've got no idea what he's going to do, but hopefully he will stay.

"As long as we stay up, I'm looking forward to next season. Hopefully I'll be here if we do.

"I think that whether we stay up or not is a factor in a lot of players' thoughts about their futures.

"No-one wants to play in the First Division. We've got a lot of top-quality players who could find another club in the Premier League or another country.

"The managerial uncertainty is a factor in my thinking. I would be lying if I said I wasn't thinking about my future. The main thing at the moment, though, is staying up.

"If we do that, it would be helpful for the club to come to a quick decision over who's going to be in charge next season, and I think they'll do that.

"The players would like to see Terry stay. He's an excellent coach and all the players respect him. Bryan has done his bit as well."

Gordon, signed from Crystal Palace for £900,000 nearly three years ago, added: "I'm open to offers at the moment. I've got a year left on my contract but hopefully the club will offer me a new one. I just want to play Premier League football.

"I've had a couple of injuries in the last few years and I've lost a lot of football.

"But I still feel I have plenty to offer. I just need to prove a point that I'm good enough to stay at the club."

Gordon revealed that he may face more surgery on his scarred left knee this summer.

"There are signs of a torn cartilage," he said. "They are talking about another clean-up of the knee at the end of the season, which I don't particularly want because I've had enough surgery on it in the last 18 months to last a lifetime."

Gordon's immediate concern, however, is shaking off a shin injury. "It's nothing major and I don't think it'll make me doubtful for this weekend's game," he said.

"Keith O'Neill is out injured, so hopefully I can continue in the team.

"I've had a bit of stick from the fans recently.

"The away fans are brilliant, but the home fans get impatient after ten or 15 minutes if things aren't going well, so hopefully we can get a couple of goals for them this weekend.''

Gordon scored in Boro's memorable 3-2 win over United at Old Trafford two seasons ago and admitted: "It would be nice to stick another one in against them.

"But I had a hand in a couple of our goals in the win at Arsenal two weeks ago and an assist is just as good as scoring as far as I'm concerned.''

Meanwhile, Venables believes Sir Alex Ferguson's United will face a greater challenge to their supremacy next season.

"I think there were one or two teams who at one stage were close to catching them this time,'' insisted Venables.

"Ultimately, they haven't done that, but it looks like there are four or five teams capable of being in contention next time.

"The squad situation is very important.

"When one or two sides have injuries, they've found it more difficult, whereas United just seem to carry on.

"They rest players and they don't seem to get that many injuries.

"People were saying that maybe Arsenal and Chelsea would challenge them, but they've proved too good again.

"Liverpool have come on strong and so have Leeds, and their experience in Europe this season will stand them in good stead. And Chelsea will invest again and make sure they don't get left behind.''

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