Agent denies Boro's Mills claim

Danny Mills' agent has defended his client against accusations of greed.

Mills spent much of the 2003/04 season on-loan at The Riverside and had looked set for a permanent move - which ultimately never materialised.

This week Mills issued an outspoken attack in the direction of under-fire England coach Steve McClaren, who he claims is 'false' following his decision to renege on an agreement that was in place.

However, Boro chairman Steve Gibson has since come out to defend McClaren, claiming that on the contrary to Mills' accusations, the reason he was sent packing was due to exorbitant wage demands.

Gibson insists that Mills and his agent, Neil Featherby, were asking for a 25 per cent increase but this is a claim rejected out of hand by the latter.

"In respect of either myself or Danny asking for a further 25 per cent I can categorically state that is utter nonsense and I have no idea where Mr Gibson got those sums and figures from," said Featherby.

"I never once spoke to Steve Gibson during Danny's time at Middlesbrough.

"If he had been present during my negotiations with their chief executive Keith Lamb, he would perhaps have a clearer view of what happened.

"But I have no intention of being dragged into a dispute with Mr Gibson.

"It is shame they are coming out and saying these things because Danny finished on a high by winning a Carling Cup medal and he loved his time there."