MATTHEW BATES says the chance to repay Boro for standing by him during his injury nightmare is one of the reasons he decided to sign a new contract.

The pacey 22-year-old was considered one of the club's brightest prospects until three serious knee injuries have hampered his progress.

However, he enjoyed his longest spell of first team action last season, playing in mainly in midfield and making a total of 18 starts, scoring one goal.

He looked set to quit this month with a number of Premier League clubs keen to sign him but he has delighted Gareth Southgate by deciding to stay and fight to get back to the top flight with the club where he has spent his entire career.

"I've made the right decision in the end, albeit a difficult one," said Bates.

"I had the option to stay in the Premier League because there were several other clubs interested, but I feel staying with Middlesbrough was the right thing for me.

"It's my local club, I've been here since I was a young lad and I'm happy here.

"I'll be honest, there were times when I thought I would be leaving. I wanted to stay in the Premier League, of course I did, but no one at the club wants to be in the Championship. But despite the interest from other clubs, I always wanted to stay here.

"It was about listening to my heart. I want to further my career but this club stood by me through my injuries, so now I'm focused on helping Boro win promotion."

While Stockton-born Bates has been prepared to swallow the bitter pill of relegation rather than take the easy option by leaving, he doesn't intend to be out of the top flight for long.

"The aim for the club is to ensure we spend only one season in the Championship," he said.

"I think we can definitely go up. The players that we've signed are some of those we're looking at have done it at this level and know what it's all about.

"I also like the fact that the likes of Mark Yeates are goalscorers because we struggled with goals last year.

"Despite the fact that we went down, I thought the defence was okay last season, but we didn't score enough goals.

"We've still got a good squad here. If we can keep most of this squad together and bond them with new signings and young lads coming through then I think we can do really well."

Bates, who has spent loan spells at Norwich, Ipswich and Darlington, played a key role in Boro's 2004 FA Youth Cup success alongside David Wheater in central defence.

But he underlined his versatility by covering in other positions last season and he is relaxed about where his future lies, as long as he's playing football.

"I'm lucky I can play in three positions now," he said.

"I played in midfield last season for the first time since I was at school but I enjoyed it. In fact, I think I surprised myself the way I played there.

"I want more of it because I really think there's more to come from me in that position.

"I felt I was getting better in there, but I've played at right-back and most of in central defence, so I'm relaxed and open-minded about where I play.

"This is going to be my first pre-season for three years because of injuries, so I'm looking to go into the season on a real high. I'm looking forward to it."