On the mend: Stewart Downing is recovering well after surgery on his foot
11 April 2012
Tottenham are facing strong competition from Aston Villa for Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing and are under pressure to raise funds for a deal quickly.
Spurs, who have been trying to sign the England international since 2006, were confident they would finally get their man this summer but Harry Redknapp has been told he must sell players before he can buy.
Boro are believed to want £12m for Downing, who is recovering well after surgery on his foot.
The 24-year-old visited a specialist in London yesterday and was told that a screw which was inserted at the end of last season will come out in September and that he could be back playing three months ahead of schedule in October.
