Source: Northern_Echo
Boro miss out on Walters as Jones makes switch
ONE of Gordon Strachan's back-up options to come in and provide Middlesbrough with more width disappeared off the radar last night, when Jon Walters joined Stoke City.[LNB] Dundee United winger Craig Conway remains Strachan's top target before the transfer window closes on August 31, while Hearts' Andrew Driver is a more expensive alternative.[LNB] But now Strachan knows Middlesbrough must move quickly, with clubs across the country firming up tentative inquiries on the transfer front and Walters was one of his alternatives.[LNB] Stoke have agreed to pay £2.75m for Walters just days after it was claimed Middlesbrough were one of a number of clubs to ask about the player's availability.[LNB] Championship rivals Queens Park Rangers were also interested in Walters and now the Loftus Road club, along with Ipswich, are looking for other wingers to move for.[LNB] Middlesbrough thought to have had a seven-figure offer rebuffed by Cardiff City for Peter Whittingham have been tracking Conway all summer but are yet to match the £1.2m valuation which has been put on his head by the Tannadice board.[LNB] However, Middlesbrough's position has been strengthened following confirmation that goalkeeper Brad Jones has finally completed a £2.3m switch to Anfield.[LNB] After almost two weeks of negotiations and gamesmanship, Jones' wish of playing for the Reds was granted yesterday when he penned a three-year contract for Roy Hodgson.[LNB] Hodgson is ready to make Jones his number two to work as back-up to Spanish goalkeeper Pepe Reina, with regular deputy Diego Cavalieri now lined up to move to Italian club Cesena.[LNB] Jones has not signed in time to face Trabzonspor in the Europa League play-off first leg tonight, nor will he play in the return leg. But Hodgson has revealed he is ready to pin more faith in Jones than many of Middlesbrough fans had in him.[LNB] Hodgson said: We set about the task of finding someone who would be a good compliment to Reina as Cavalieri has been. Brad Jones is the man we have chosen to back up Pepe Reina, to put him under pressure to some extent but, most importantly, be ready to play.[LNB] It still remains unclear what Strachan will now do, although he has been delighted with the performances of 20- year-old Jason Steele in his opening two matches for Middlesbrough.[LNB] Steele's displays against Chesterfield and Leicester have encouraged Strachan, but Julian Speroni and Tomas Cerny are two options.[LNB] Seats for Boro's match with Sheffield United on Sunday can now be booked.[LNB] Boro Pride members can book their seats for £8 for those aged under-18. Prices for adult Boro Pride members start at £21, with over-65s and 18-21s from £14. Tickets are on general sale from £23 adults, £16 over-65s and £13 under-18s.[LNB]
