Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan has today made a triple transfer breakthrough after completing deals for former Celtic trio Barry Robson, Chris Killen, and Republic of Ireland Under-21 international Willo Flood.

Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson hopes to finally unveil Gordon Strachan as the club’s new manager on Monday.

Middlesbrough are not now expected to make any announcement about their new manager over the weekend.

Middlesbrough were today insisting Afonso Alves is still their player – for now at least – after Qatari side Al-Sadd unveiled the striker at a press conference.

Middlesbrough have rejected an offer of around £3m for record signing Afonso Alves.

Gareth Southgate has dismissed claims he has offered former England team-mate Phil Neville a coaching role at Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough chief executive Keith Lamb has confirmed England winger Stewart Downing can leave if the club receive an acceptable offer.

Newcastle boss Alan Shearer today attempted to draw a line under the latest chapter in the Joey Barton saga ahead of Monday night’s relegation showdown with Middlesbrough.

THE words were familiar, the speaker less so. “We have a young team and we do lack a bit of experience sometimes. We just have to stay strong at crucial moments.”

PHIL BROWN may insist he has no interest in taking charge at Sunderland, but nobody would dare accuse English football’s most in-demand young manager of lacking ambition.

IT is always best to expect the unexpected at Newcastle United, so perhaps the notion of the club being hauled onto an even keel by Joe Kinnear — frozen out of football for four years, with question marks over his health and whose methods appeared to belong in football’s stone age — is not so surprising.

Middlesbrough 0 Newcastle 0

Luiz Felipe Scolari brushed aside Chelsea’s injury problems after seeing his side do just that to Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough youngster Adam Johnson believes it will not be long before team-mate Stewart Downing seeks a move to a “big team”.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is close to making a breakthrough in his search for new players.

Middlesbrough have confirmed midfielder Fabio Rochemback will not be offered a new contract.

Middlesbrough have advised AZ Alkmaar to direct their claim for compensation over their failed bid to land Afonso Alves to Heerenveen.

Midfielder Joey O’Brien returns from a three-week absence for Bolton’s crucial survival battle at Tottenham.

Middlesbrough have appealed to the Football Association against the red card awarded to Jeremie Aliadiere against Liverpool at the weekend.

Middlesbrough have finally completed the signing of Brazilian striker Afonso Alves for an undisclosed club-record fee from Dutch side Heerenveen.

Middlesbrough target Afonso Alves was undergoing a medical this evening as the Teessiders attempted to push through a club record signing.

Mansfield 0 Middlesbrough 2

Middlesbrough could find themselves awaiting the outcome of a legal battle if they attempt to push home their interest in Brazilian striker Afonso Alves.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is hoping he will reap the rewards of Adam Johnson’s adventure at Watford.

Chelsea boss Avram Grant promised to press on with his quest to play entertaining football after seeing his side cruise to victory at Middlesbrough.

MIDDLESBROUGH striker Ayegbeni Yakubu was last night heading for Everton to tie up an £11.25 million (€16.5 million) move.

Speculation over Ayegbeni Yakubu’s future at Middlesbrough mounted today when it emerged he was not training on Teesside.

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate is closing in on his fourth summer signing after Luke Young headed for Teesside today.

Middlesbrough on Wednesday made a major transfer breakthrough by agreeing personal terms with Turkey striker Tuncay Sanli.

Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has admitted Mark Viduka’s departure for Newcastle has made him ponder his own future.

Middlesbrough striker Massimo Maccarone is set to join Serie A club Siena on a free transfer early next week, according to his agent.

Middlesbrough 1 Wigan 1

Middlesbrough chairman Colin Gibson has criticised agent Colin Gordon over his recent comments on bungs and revealed he is banned by the Teesside club.

Ben Thatcher has apologised for the horror challenge which could land him in trouble with the police as well as the Football Association.

Sylvain Distin will see out the remainder of his contract with Manchester City.

Stuart Pearce has revealed he is prepared to block Sylvain Distin’s departure from Manchester City.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has dismissed renewed speculation that he is set to swoop for Sporting Lisbon winger Roudolphe Douala.

Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren will hope to have two of his most senior players back from injury for Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final clash with West Ham.

Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren insists his players “are ready to rise to the challenge” and make history at the club.

THE Football Association will rely heavily on the advice of Trevor Brooking when they start plotting England’s Euro 2008 qualifying campaign next month.

MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren’s fears that midfielder George Boateng could be sidelined for several weeks have been allayed.

Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren's fears that midfielder George Boateng could be sidelined for several weeks have been allayed.

Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren has attempted to defuse mounting speculation he will take over from England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson in the near future.