Carry on spending - McClaren

Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren could complete his summer rebuilding programme this week by adding two more faces to his squad.

Boro were today still locked in talks with Aston Villa midfielder George Boateng over a proposed £5m (€7.9m) move to Teesside, while former Everton midfielder Jesper Blomqvist will discover by the end of the week if he will be offered a contract at the Riverside Stadium.

McClaren’s has been trailing Boateng for several months, and the Dutchman’s determination to leave Villa with two years of his contract remaining have left the England coach in the box seat.

It is understood the player was due to undergo a medical today, although the official line from Boro was simply that talks were ongoing.

And amid claims from his agent, Anders Wallsten, that Swedish international Blomqvist would sign a one-year deal later this week, the club were giving little away.

"He’s still with us and we will be making a decision by the end of the week," said a club spokesman.

Just a year into the job, McClaren has worked hard to reshape his team and sees Southgate as one of the principle foundation stones of what he is trying to build.

Juninho is likely to line up in a free role behind the front two rather than play as an orthodox midfielder, and that means replacements for central midfield duo Ince and Mustoe are still needed.

Cameroon international Geremi has been earmarked for one of those berths, but 26-year-old Boateng’s experience and quality would prove a major addition to McClaren’s resources.

Blomqvist, who would add width, has been on trial with the club for several weeks after being released by Everton boss David Moyes in May.

The 28-year-old played for Boro in their 2-2 friendly draw with Udinese in Austria last Thursday, and is now hoping for a new lease of life on Teesside.