Lamb refuses to bleat over Viduka

The 31-year-old Australian finally ended the speculation over his future yesterday when he signed for derby rivals Newcastle after rejecting an extended contract at the Riverside Stadium.

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The news, although not unexpected, went down badly with the club's fans, who like chairman Steve Gibson, Lamb and manager Gareth Southgate, had repeatedly pleaded with him to stay.

However, Lamb was in bullish mood as he looked to a future without Viduka with the Teessiders closing in on Arsenal striker Jeremie Aliadiere.

Lamb said: "How much we miss him and how well he does up the road, only time will tell.

"But we are moving forward. It is not about losing Mark Viduka, it is about Middlesbrough Football Club and how we replace Mark Viduka.

"The fans can be certain that Gareth and the rest of his staff are doing all they can to bring in replacements."

Lamb, who insisted in the aftermath of Viduka's departure that Boro had made him an "outstanding" offer, was giving little away about Southgate's targets, although West Brom's Diomansy Kamara is also thought to be in the former England defender's sights.

However, he promised that work is going on behind the scenes to revamp the squad for the new campaign.

Lamb said: "We are doing all we can. The transfer market is manic at the moment.

"There is a lot of activity, but not much activity, if you understand what I am saying. All sorts of clubs are being linked with all sorts of players.

"It will settle down eventually. We have our targets, our positions to fill, and we are working quietly behind the scenes to do all we can to bring those players into the football club.

"I am sure there will be a number of new faces at this football club before the start of the season, and there will be some old ones who remain with us.

"It will be an interesting mix for next year, but one I am sure Gareth, come the first match of the season, will be absolutely delighted with."

Southgate revealed last month that if he had to sell players to boost his spending power, he would, although he is adamant that striker Ayegbeni Yakubu is not up for grabs amid speculation that Portsmouth want to take him back to the south coast.

That view was reinforced by Lamb, who said: "Yakubu is contracted to this football club for the foreseeable future and we have no plans at all to change that.

"We are looking forward to seeing him back for pre-season training, and he is still very much part of our future."

Southgate could have done without having to find a replacement for last season's leading scorer during a summer already truncated by his studies for the UEFA A Licence.

However, the club's hierarchy remains firmly behind him a year into his reign.

Lamb told Boro's official website, www.mfc.co.uk: "I have said time and time again how impressed I have been with Gareth and how I think in time he will become a top manager. He is going about it the right way.

"This is a great opportunity for change at this football club. We need to bring in new players, high energy, a different approach to that we have had in the past - and you can only effect change by change.

"There will be players leaving the club and there will be other players coming in, that's for certain."