Venables may stay on - Robson

Bryan Robson has hinted that Terry Venables may stay at Middlesbrough beyond the end of the season.

Venables stepped in at Boro December, telling chairman Steve Gibson that he could commit himself to the cause for only six months because of his TV and business commitments.

Gibson initially offered the former England coach a two-and-a-half-year contract as he attempted to spark a turnaround at the Riverside.

The 57-year-old Venables has performed a near-miracle in the few short weeks he has been on Teesside, putting together a run of seven games without defeat which has seen Boro climb off the foot of the Premiership table and head for the relative calm of 15th place.

Boro are understandably keen to hang on to the services of a man whose track record emphasises his ability as a coach - and as rumours circulate that he is discussing his television commitments with ITV Robson believes progress could be made.

"I really do believe that if things keep going well and Terry's really got the bug for it and he's enjoying it then he'd do everything he can to stay with the club," Robson said.

"But it's too early to speculate now, and I don't think Terry will make any decision until towards the end of the season."

Venables' initial reluctance to commit himself further than the end of the current campaign was a reflection of the anchor role ITV expect him to play in their highlights coverage of the Premiership from next season.

But talks have already taken place in a bid to reach some form of compromise.

"ITV still don't know what their schedule will be yet," said Robson. "If Terry does want to stay I think something will be sorted out.

"We've already told Terry that as a club. I'm sure it will work out okay if that's what he wants."