Source: Northern_Echo
Boro boss targets two
GARETH SOUTHGATE will today make the first of two new additions to his Middlesbrough squad by landing Preston defender Sean St Ledger.
Boro hope to conclude a deal in time for the Republic of Ireland international to make his debut against Ipswich Town tomorrow, before adding Hull striker Caleb Folan early next week.
Southgate has been given the go-ahead by chairman Steve Gibson to strengthen his squad following the departures of Afonso Alves, Tuncay Sanli, Robert Huth and Stewart Downing for a combined total of £29m.
While the summer transfer window closed last week, the Boro boss is looking to make the most of the ruling which allows Football League clubs to make emergency loan signings by landing the two players.
St Ledger, who Boro watched during his appearance for his country in the 1-0 win over South Africa on Wednesday, will be the first to arrive.
The 24-year-old is thought to have already held talks in the North-East and will arrive on loan for the rest of the year.
Preston boss Alan Irvine would prefer not to sell the Irish international but has accepted that his hand has been forced because his club is in need of the cash.
St Ledger, born in Birmingham, has played 129 times for Preston in the Championship since moving from Peterborough for £225,000 in July 2006.
He is likely to be followed by Hull striker Folan, with talks over a possible £2m deal for the striker in January at an advanced stage.
Southgate refused to reveal the identities of the players he hopes to sign in the coming days, but admitted he had made progress.
Were trying to strengthen in a couple of areas and were in talks with a couple of clubs on different players but its not right to speak about players at other clubs, said Southgate.
Until we have a deal in place I dont want to alert other clubs. Id sooner have deals done and then Im happy to speak. Im hopeful well have one on board by Saturday, were in talks, well get there with one for Saturday but Im not sure about the second.
Folan has played in all four of Hulls opening Premier League matches this season and eight of the nine league goals he has scored for the Tigers came during their Championship promotion season.
The 26-year-old would add the aerial presence Southgate has been looking for this summer, having already failed to add Rob Hulse to his ranks from Derby.
Its well documented we had a bid in for Rob Hulse but the deal didnt go through and hes very much a Derby player, said Southgate.
While he would expect both new signings to be available for the trip to Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday, Southgate has received some bad news on the injury front.
With the chances of defender Chris Riggott undergoing surgery for a second time on his problematic ankle, the acquisition of St Ledger will arrive at the perfect time.
Riggott has not figured since the defeat at Manchester City in February but was expected to return to full fitness in the next few weeks.
That now, however, looks highly unlikely.
Hes had a couple of injections and things and its looking like he might need another operation. Were hoping he can avoid that but it looks like he might have to, said Southgate, who denied any interest in Ipswich defender Gareth McAuley.
Its more a bone injury, so if it was an operation itd be to remove floating bone, sometimes you can play within it, sometimes you cant.
Its a setback but weve got to play the hand were dealt and its not something I can influence. Youve got to focus on what you can affect.
Hes been positive one minute and setback the next.
