Source: Daily_Mail
Middlesbrough set to swoop for Cardiff City midfielder Peter Whittingham
Boro target: Strachan is keen on Cardiff's Whittingham Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan is ready to splash the £2.3 million from Brad Jones's sale to Liverpool with a shock move for Cardiff City's Peter Whittingham. Strachan is happy to start the season with Danny Coyne and youngster Jason Steele, another former Academy player, who came through an impressive league debut at Leicester on Saturday. But the Boro boss is monitoring Richard Wright's situation at Ipswich and may consider a loan move for the former Arsenal and Everton keeper. His priority is to bring some creativity to his squad with new summer signing Keith Thomson ruled out for at least two months with a broken fibula from the weekend. Former Celtic winger Willo Flood was ruled out for three months after dislocating his shoulder in the opening game of the season. Whittingham, who scored 20 goals for Dave Jones's side last season, is one of the most wanted players in the Championship and Boro will need to offer a £3 million deal to entice Cardiff to sell. Strachan's alternative is Dundee United's Craig Conway. Boro are understandably delighted with the deal for 28-year-old Jones who played just 58 games for the Teesside club after joining them as a teenager and coming through Dave Parnaby's Academy. Done deal: Strachan is set to spend the £2.3m received for Brad Jones The 28-year-old, who has been signed as cover for Jose Reina, was expected to be Strachan's No 1 this season but Newton Aycliffe-born Steele, who turns 20 this week, could not get a run in the Boro side.Strachan, who has been linked with Crystal Palace keeper Julian Speroni, said: 'It was Jason's day at Leicester on Saturday. I don't think their fans realised how young he was because it was such an assured performance. He looked like a man out there, which was good.' Liverpool sign Middlesbrough goalkeeper Brad Jones for £2mBellamy shock: He's escaping Man City misery. and heading home to Cardiff!