DAVID WHEATER’S Premier League admirers are on alert after Middlesbrough confirmed the defender should be fit for pre-season training.

Surgery on the £9m-rated centre-back’s torn knee cartilage has proved a success and he is expected to make a quick recovery.

And with his sights set on beginning pre-season training in early July, his name is likely to remain high on a number of managers’ shopping lists.

Liverpool have been credited with an interest in the young defender, having monitored his progress since he impressed during his first season at Premier league level.

And while his second campaign in the top-flight failed to earn similar reviews, Reds manager Rafael Benitez has included Wheater on a list – which also includes Newcastle’s Steven Taylor – of potential defensive signings to replace the departing Sami Hyypia.

Birmingham and Aston Villa are also monitoring the England Under-21 international, but they will all await fitness reports before any formal offers being tabled.

This week the 22-year-old insisted he is prepared to stay and help Middlesbrough fight for promotion from the Championship, and chairman Steve Gibson has reiterated his desire he should remain a Middlesbrough player.

But the news Wheater emerged from his operation yesterday morning successfully will have encouraged his suitors. With Stewart Downing expected to be out for around six months after last Friday’s surgery on his foot injury, Middlesbrough may be forced to look elsewhere in their need to raise funds.

Gibson had been relying on the sale of Downing – which could have brought in up to £15m – to help fund Gareth Southgate’s own recruitment drive for the Championship.

And while Tuncay Sanli, Gary O’Neil and Robert Huth are three of the most likely candidates to be sold on this summer, a bidding war for Wheater could yet lead to his departure.

It remains to be seen just how determined Boro are to keep hold of the defender, although it has become clear any bidding for the player will start at the £9m mark.

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish admitted as much recently, while sources in the North West claim Liverpool feel that could be the figure Middlesbrough might consider selling for.

Wheater was not the only player to have been operated on yesterday, with defensive colleague Chris Riggott receiving similarly positive news after his date with the specialist. He only played 20 times last season and missed the back end of the campaign with a repetitive ankle problem.

Southgate, meanwhile, has been credited with an interest in Espanyol’s £3m rated Jordi Gomez after his successful loan stint at Swansea.

Gomez has attracted interest from clubs across the Britain and it has been claimed that a £3m offer would secure his services, with Celtic also thought to be interested and Swansea braced to lose out if a bidding war starts.