Source: Northern_Echo
Southgate targets strike pair
HAVING failed to sign Rob Hulse on transfer deadline day, Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate will offer Sunderland striker Daryl Murphy a loan deal at the Riverside.
And with Afonso Alves still expected to complete a permanent transfer to Qatari side Al-Saad in the next fortnight, the Boro boss will also consider re-signing Wigan forward Marlon King in an attempt to bolster a forward line that is currently short of numbers.
After receiving permission to speak to Hulse on Tuesday morning, Boro officials were unable to tie up a £3m deal for the 29-year-old.
As a result, they will now turn their attention to the loan market, with Championship clubs able to make emergency loan signings from next Tuesday.
Theres a possibility that the loan system could be used, confirmed first-team coach Steve Agnew. Im sure thats something that will interest the manager. That kicks into play seven days after the deadline, and its something well look at.
History proves that a lot of the successful teams in the Championship have used the loan system very well. I dont think well be any different to that.
Southgate was busy drawing up a list of loan targets yesterday morning, and Murphys name is understood to feature prominently in his thoughts.
The Republic of Ireland international has slipped down the Stadium of Light pecking order under Steve Bruce, and was offered to a number of clubs, including Middlesbrough, during the latter stages of the transfer window.
At the time, Southgate opted to look elsewhere in an attempt to make a permanent addition to his playing staff.
However, with a permanent transfer no longer an option, Murphys record of ten goals from 27 starts during Sunderlands last season in the Championship makes him an appealing loan option.
The need for a new striker will increase if Alves completes his proposed move to Qatar, and while another round of negotiations yesterday failed to produce a conclusion, Boro officials remain confident a deal will be completed.
The Qatari transfer window does not close until September 15, and Alves is due to remain in the Middle East until the weekend.
I think the fact that Afonso has travelled all the way to the Middle East shows how keen he is to do a deal, said Agnew. Im sure both the clubs are very keen to do the deal as well and, as we speak, the negotiations are still ongoing.
Watch this space.
Alves is unlikely to still be a Middlesbrough player when the Championship programme resumes on September 12, but both Gary ONeil and Emanuel Pogatetz could be available when Roy Keanes Ipswich visit the Riverside.
ONeil only had a hernia operation last week, but the midfielder is confident of returning to full training within the next seven days.
Pogatetz is back on the training ground after undergoing knee surgery at the end of May, and while the Austrian is unlikely to start against Ipswich, he could be involved on the substitutes bench.
Chris Riggott is unlikely to make the squad a week on Saturday, however, after suffering a setback to his recovery from an ankle operation.
Garys champing at the bit, said Agnew. He still has staples in his groin area, but hes jogging and hes hoping to be back training by the middle of next week.
Im sure hell be in and around training next week, and its looking very positive in terms of the Ipswich game.
Hes hopeful that, if everything goes according to plan, hell be fit for that game.
Emanuels back out on the training ground and looking good. Hes running and hes had plenty of touches of the ball. Im not sure about an exact timetable, but I would think wed be looking at two or three weeks until hes back involved in competitive football.
Chris has had a couple of setbacks though, and hes still a fair bit away from competitive games.
Matthew Bates is another of Boros long-term absentees, and after travelling to the United States to consult a leading knee specialist, the 22- year-old underwent surgery in London yesterday to repair damaged ligaments.
There were fears for the midfielders career when he hobbled out of Julys pre-season friendly at Carlisle, but the prognosis is positive.
Matthews had his operation and without going into too much medical detail, weve all been very encouraged by what he has heard from the surgeons, said Agnew. Hence the operation.
Hes much more upbeat than he was when he first suffered the injury.
Initially, everyone was massively disappointed, but I think Matthews pretty positive now. Im sure hell be back at the training ground in the next week or so.
Middlesbroughs new cyan away strip will go on general sale at both MFC official retail stores from 9.30am this morning.
