MARK VIDUKA'S failure to deliver a quick decision on his future has left Middlesbrough in limbo, with manager Gareth Southgate forced to stall on his rebuilding plans aimed towards achieving a place in the Premiership's top ten next season.

And with the future of Viduka's strike-partner, Ayegbeni Yakubu, far from certain, Southgate is not in a position to pursue his summer targets until he knows the extent of his transfer budget.

The Boro boss is waiting to hear from the Australian, back in his native Melbourne ahead of representing his country next month, about his intentions for next season.

Manchester United and West Ham are just two of a growing number of clubs interested in taking the striker on a Bosman free at the end of next month.

And, if he was to depart, Southgate would be freeing up £40,000-a-week in wages, although replacing the former Leeds man would be an unenviable task.

There is genuine interest in both Arsenal's Jeremie Aliadiere and West Brom's Diomansy Kamara, although Southgate realises his sights would have to change if a powerful striker like Viduka needed replacing.

"I spoke to him two days ago and he was sat on a beach in no rush to make up his mind, his biggest choice was which flavour ice-cream to have," said Southgate.

"From his point of view there is no advantage about making a decision now as opposed to a fortnight's time. For us it would be handy to know. It hugely affects what we want to do. If he was going to stay we would be happy to use the budget in other areas.

"I do have ideas in mind if he was to go but they are not clear cut. It's not at the stage where I have put in any bids. We probably need a striker, because we are losing Malcolm Christie, so it's whether we need someone to replace him or to sit on the bench to develop."

Southgate had shown an interest in Luke Varney, who signed for Charlton this week, and he will have major decisions to make if Viduka departs.

Despite the huge increase in income from television rights, Middlesbrough will not be in a position to spend huge amounts.

There will be cash available, although Southgate realises his spending power would hugely increase if he offloads one of his prize assets.

And with £10m-rated Yakubu receptive to moving back to the south coast, where he made a name for himself with Portsmouth, Southgate is aware that offloading the Nigerian is an option.

Despite admitting 'every player has his price', the Boro boss insists he is planning for the new campaign with his top performers on board and sees no reason why Yakubu should leave.

"There's a nucleus of this side I would not want to lose. But if someone offers you ridiculous money then you have to listen and consider," said Southgate, aware that Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp also showed an interest in Yakubu last summer.

"I don't really want to lose players that have been influential for us. Keeping our better ones is a priority and we want to build around those. If we have a full side out then there are not many gaps to fill.

"I spoke to him (Yakubu) briefly before he flew back to Africa. He did not say anything to me before he left. I would be surprised if he was disaffected.

"Last summer he wasn't so happy because he had been left out of many of the games towards the end of the season by Steve McClaren. At that point we had Mark, Jimmy (Floyd Hasselbaink) and Yak but I have not had a minute's problem from him. You have to wonder if it's forces behind him pulling the strings."

Given the situation with Viduka, who maintains he is still totally undecided about his future, Southgate accepts dealings on the transfer front will be later rather than sooner.

He had hoped to be in a position whereby he would have made numerous additions before his side return to pre-season training on July 2.

Meanwhile, South Korean Dong-Gook Lee has been called up for the international friendly against Holland on June 2 in Seoul.