Southgate is keen to add further talent to his squad

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate is optimistic about his side's Championship credentials after their opening day draw with Sheffield United.

Friday's goalless encounter at the Riverside was competitive and Southgate believes fans can now better appreciate the task ahead in gaining promotion.

"People realise this is going to be an exciting season, this league is going to be wide open," he told BBC Tees.

"I was pleased with a lot of things up to their final third."

Despite adding players such as Mark Yeates and Danny Coyne to his squad, Southgate remains keen to bring in further additions.

However, any funding is likely to need to come from the sale of existing playing staff, and the Boro boss admitted there has been little movement in that area at the present time.

"We're trying to work as quickly as we can, and I know the areas I want to strengthen and I know the people I'd like to bring in, so it's frustrating," he said.

"I thought what we had today were 13 players who went onto the field and gave their absolute lot and worked from the front, closed people down and never shirked a challenge.

"We need to just add that little bit of quality, touch is the last thing to come in a season, the fitness bit is easy and we have got people who can open up defences."

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