MIDDLESBROUGH are expected to resist the latest move from Tottenham to prise Stewart Downing from the Riverside as the winger prepares to launch a bid for a starting place in this summer's World Cup.

Downing has been named in the starting XI for England against Belarus in a B international at Reading's Madejski Stadium tonight, when Sven Goran Eriksson takes a closer look at some of the fringe players in his squad.

And Tottenham are attempting to strike while there is a state of flux at Middlesbrough by putting together a package worth around £7.5m to tempt the Teessiders into selling their prize asset.

Spurs boss Martin Jol has been desperate to add a new left-sided midfielder to his ranks for the past two years and was blocked a year ago in his pursuit of Downing.

That offer was believed to have been in the region of £7m and Jol wants to test the water again, with Boro focused on trying to make Terry Venables the new manager.

Since that initial bid from Tottenham, however, Downing has signed a five-year contract and is only one season into that deal, meaning Middlesbrough are certainly not in a position where they have to sell.

In fact, with the 21-year-old destined to figure for England in the World Cup, there is a serious chance his valuation could soar with a decent showing in Germany.

Downing's agent, Ian Elliott, feels there is no reason for the player's hometown club to cash in on his services. He said: "I cannot imagine Middlesbrough would sell him for £7.5m.

"I'm not aware of any interest from Tottenham but, if there is, Stewart has four years on his contract and I do not see any reason why he would not fulfil those."

It remains to be seen just how determined Jol is to land his man. The Dutchman, who has also previously been rebuffed by Boro for highly-rated teenager Adam Johnson, is desperate to land a left-winger during the close-season.

Tottenham have already made an inquiry for Blackburn's Morten Gamst Pedersen, while Gareth Barry also appears further down on the manager's list of potential targets.

But top of Jol's wish-list is Downing. He is England's only left-footed winger at the finals this summer and has more than a decade of his career left to run.

That is why Middlesbrough would be reluctant to listen to any offers at this time, particularly as the decision would have to be made before the next manager has been installed.

At least an end to the drawn-out Terry Venables saga has appeared on the horizon.

Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson is still awaiting a decision from Venables as to whether or not he will be the successor to Steve McCaren at the Riverside Stadium.

But the 63-year-old, who has been offered the job, has been biding his time because he is also wanted by McClaren as part of his new-look England management team when he takes charge on August 1.

Venables actually had one of his men talking things over with McClaren again yesterday afternoon and he has told Middlesbrough that, out of courtesy, he will inform them of his intentions before the weekend.

The length of time it has taken Venables to make up his mind suggests he is favouring a return to the England set-up rather than making a comeback to club management after a three-year absence.

If that is the case, Alan Curbishley, Martin O'Neill, Tony Mowbray and Iain Dowie are four of the candidates likely to be in the frame for the Boro hot-seat.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.