Boateng talks go on at Riverside

Middlesbrough were today continuing their efforts to tie up the signing of Aston Villa midfielder George Boateng.

The 26-year-old is on Teesside to discuss personal terms and undergo a medical after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed fee, thought to be in the region of £5m (€8m).

Boateng would represent Steve McClaren’s fifth capture of the summer and take his spending since succeeding Bryan Robson last June through the £30m (€47.7m) mark.

And as the manager closed in on his latest target, one of his earlier purchases was preparing to make his first public appearance on English soil.

Record signing Massimo Maccarone, an £8.15m (€12.95m) acquisition from Italian side Empoli, is in the starting line-up for tonight’s friendly clash with Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

Maccarone has already played in a behind-closed-doors practice match against Oldham and and turned out for the first half of Boro’s 2-2 draw with Udinese in Austria last Thursday evening.

However, the club’s travelling fans who did not make the trip to the Continent last week will get their first chance to see the 22-year-old Italian international in action in South Yorkshire this evening.

He will line up in attack alongside Noel Whelan in a strong Boro side.

Australian international Mark Schwarzer will keep goal while Gareth Southgate, Ugo Ehiogu, Franck Queudrue and Robbie Stockdale will make up the back four and, in the absence of new signings

Juninho and Geremi, Jonathan Greening, Mark Wilson, Luke Wilkshire and Carlos Marinelli will play in midfield.