Southgate: Arca’s future is here!

Sep 28 2008 by Steve Brown, Sunday Sun

JULIO ARCA is still a big part of Gareth Southgate’s new-look Middlesbrough - despite suffering ANOTHER injury setback.

The Argentine ace, main picture, has not figured for the Teessiders this term after damaging ankle ligaments during the pre-season friendly at Hibernian.

He did play 45 minutes of a reserve game against Hull 12 days ago, and was an unused substitute for the Wear-Tees derby and Boro’s Carling Cup trip to Manchester United last week.

But the midfielder has been rocked by a recurrence of his ankle problem during training and will spend this week resting . . . leaving him unlikely to return to first-team action until nearer November.

But while the 27-year-old — second-oldest to Chris Riggott in the Boro squad — remains sidelined, Southgate, pictured right, insists Arca remains very much part of his plans.

“He’s still a very important part of the club, no question,” the Boro boss said.

“The reality at this moment in time is that nobody’s an automatic start for us and I think that’s why we’ve started relatively well, there’s competition for places.

“I think when you’re injured and miss the start of the season that’s difficult for a player, but injury is the only reason he hasn’t figured for us.

“He’s very important to us, not just as a player but as a character around the club as well. He’s a fantastic professional and one of our more senior players now.”

Meanwhile, with Southgate last week challenging rival keepers Ross Turnbull and Brad Jones to earn themselves new contracts, Boro have been linked with a £6 million move for Manchester United’s Ben Foster.

And they continue to be credited with an interest in Standard Liege’s 20-year-old midfielder Stefan Defour.