Former Middlesbrough midfielder George Boateng, who spent the latter stages of the week training with the Blues, is a target of his one-time Boro boss Steve McClaren and Nottingham Forest, according to one of this morning’s tabloids. On Thursday TWTD revealed that the 35-year-old ex-Feyenoord, Coventry, Hull City and Aston Villa man had joined Town for their pre-season preparations.

We understand that Boateng, a free agent having left Greek side Skoda Xanthi at the end of 2010/11, has arranged similar spells training with a number of sides as he looks for a new club for the season ahead.

McClaren is said to be looking to recruit various members of the Middlesbrough side with which he won the 2004 League Cup and reached the final of the 2006 UEFA Cup, including Boateng, Bolo Zenden and Jonathan Greening, while he is claimed to want Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to join his coaching staff.

Elsewhere in this morning’s papers, as TWTD reported on Friday, former Birmingham midfielder Lee Bowyer is expected at Portman Road on Monday to sign a two-year deal with Town once he has passed a medical.

Meanwhile, the Blues squad flew out to Holland for their two-game pre-season tour this morning.

Young left-back Joe Whight, who recently signed a two-year professional deal with the club, has revealed on Twitter that he isn't amongst the 30 players and staff to have made the trip.

The 17-year-old is likely to be in the reserves side whose pre-season friendly programme begins at Haverhill Rovers on Wednesday. A full list of Town's pre-season fixtures can be found here.

Photo: Action Images

JesusStockwell added 16:26 - Jul 10 Who gives a flying turd!!! Is this really the only news coming out of PR? Surely there is plenty of BS in this morning tabloids that TWTD could use as a more worth while HEAD-LINE!!!! OR I'm sure you could report on the various ex town players AGAIN
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Tractamatt added 17:18 - Jul 10 Blue1 whilst I agree with what your saying , why does experience need to mean 30+ when it could mean 27-28 also would moan like a madwoman if we signed phillips yes a great player but 37,Would rather offer 3.1m for sharpe (then walk away if it got knocked back)
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blues1 added 18:48 - Jul 10 tractamatt, while i accept your point over phillips, i was making that point as many of those whinging about us signing players aged 33-34, was that they were the same 1s saying we should sign phillips. mind you, see hes good enough for blackpool. & feel as a player coming off the banch if things not working on the pitch, would still be a great option. yes players who are 27-28 may well be experienced, but lets remamber players i their 30s arent the same nowadays as they were thirty years ago. in those days, yes, most players were past their best, but today players are more athletic, & keep themselves fitter, thus they go on longer. ask man utd fans if they wished giggs wasnt in their team last season.

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manualthetisfanclub added 19:16 - Jul 10 Got arguments for signing oldies and/or youngsters but personally would rather watch a young fit competitive side with couple of 30 plus mixed in.not really interested in 34 year olds at the end of their careers here for one last pay day.get real the type of players we are looking at wouldn't tie up giggs or scholes boots abeit giggs is an idiot for having his brains in his pants!

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ipswichm8 added 19:30 - Jul 10 pj dont waste money
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itfcjc added 20:22 - Jul 10 Have him he's too old
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TractorRoyNo1 added 20:25 - Jul 10 scum have signed six players so far for not much money all of which we could have had, all young (lower wages) and wanting to improve, we should go in for Lansbury before they re-sign him
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mulligan78 added 21:01 - Jul 10 Just saw Lee bowyer driving up London road out of ipswich, in his range rover with personal plates, so guess we will be seeing him sign asap
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jas0999 added 21:17 - Jul 10 blues1 - my earlier comment referred merely to the fact that we should not only be targeting 34/35 year olds. I personally think it would be a mistake. I too agree we should not necessarily be going for 18 year olds etc, but established players who are around 27/28, with plenty of experience would IMO be the way forward. Sure, have a couple of players 34/35, but for me not both as central midfielders. The problem of signing two central midfielders at that age is we will be back to square one next season - both will need to be replaced. We should also be building for the future, as well as signing 'older' players. Sorry, if you don't like it, but it's my opinion.

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IITFC1948 added 21:44 - Jul 10 Just seen on itfc Bowyer has signed 1 years contract
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Garv added 22:07 - Jul 10 Jas Bowyer is on a two year contract. Did you watch Birmingham at all last year? Bowyer played 35 games and played well, in the Premier league! These players can get us promotion, you worry about the future when you get there.
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Tractamatt added 23:06 - Jul 10 Blues1 good point well put but my concern is really about balance especially as we have just confirmed bowyer's signing, ryan giggs was part of a midfield which had age and experience as well as youth,giggs ,keane,scholes and bekcham the latest midfield up ther is giggs (sometimes) scholes and 2 from a number of youngsters, Always a balance in youth and experience.All this man u talk, could we hijack the snieder signing;)

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