Middlesbrough cool off Sunderland interest in Adam Johnson.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is leading the group of Premiership managers, interested in the England Under-21 winger after watching him at the Riverside last month.

But Boro's new boss Gordon Strachan is keen on preserving the midfielder who has scored nine goals already this season as he relishes his first run in the first team.

Boro's chief executive Keith Lamb wants to tie the 22-year-old to a long-term contract. Johnson has so far resisted Boro's fresh offers to replace the deal which runs out at the end of this season.
 
If that contract is allowed to run out Johnson would not leave the Riverside on a free transfer, but Boro would receive some compensation as he has been at the club since he was a schoolboy.

But Lamb's point of view is: 'Adam is a Middlesbrough player and we want him to stay.'