McClaren hoping for boost in scoring charts

MIDDLESBROUGH chairman Steve Gibson will not allow his club to be backed into a corner as he attempts to provide manager Steve McClaren with a prolific striker.

The Teessiders are keen to add firepower to a squad which won the Carling Cup last season yet did not have a single player who reached double figures in the goalscoring stakes.

Leeds pair Alan Smith and Mark Viduka are names high on the manager’s list, with Emile Heskey’s having already been crossed out after his transfer to Birmingham.