Latka handed Boro deal

Middlesbrough today confirmed that Czech defender Martin Latka has been handed a trial during the club’s training break in Marbella.

The 21-year-old Slavia Prague player joined up with Steve McClaren’s squad for their trip to Spain and will be assessed before the return for Saturday’s FA Cup fourth round clash with Coventry.

“He is actually with us on trial out in Marbella,” said a club spokesman.

The confirmation came after Slavia claimed to have rejected a bid for the 6ft 4in Czech Republic Under-21 defender from the Teessiders.

McClaren is being forced to try to remodel his squad on a tight budget after being ordered to trim the wage bill following his summer investment in Aiyegbeni Yakubu and Emanuel Pogatetz.

That process was hindered – although the manager spoke of his delight about it - when first Ugo Ehiogu’s proposed move to West Brom fell through and then keeper Mark Schwarzer withdrew his transfer request.

Szilard Nemeth, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Ray Parlour are among those who could be free to leave the Riverside Stadium, although progress has been slow.

Boro have maintained their interest in Sporting Lisbon midfielder Roudolphe Douala, although the trail finally seems to have gone cold, while they have also been linked with a move for Manchester City’s Joey Barton.

However, McClaren admitted recently that he did not expect to make any major signings during the current transfer window, although Saturday’s 3-2 home defeat by Wigan left his side without a Barclays Premiership victory in nine attempts.