Middlesbrough are reported to be considering a £1 million move for Town central defender Gareth McAuley. The Northern Irish international has lost the captaincy at Portman Road this season and was dropped for the recent game at West Brom.

Boro have sold Robert Huth to Stoke and may sell David Wheater and the Teessiders firming up their interest in McAuley may depend on whether the England U21 international defender moves on before the transfer window closes.

McAuley, who is due to join up with the Northern Ireland squad on Tuesday, was reported to have been involved in a bust-up with manager Roy Keane prior to the West Brom game, a claim Keane subsequently dismissed.

The Blues are believed to be closing in on signing Sheffield Wednesday's Richard Wood, which would almost certainly see McAuley relegated to the Town bench, Alex Bruce having been handed the captain's armband and likely to fill one of the central defensive roles on a regular basis.

Boro are also interested in signing long-term Blues target Daryl Murphy from Sunderland, according to sources in Ireland.

Photo: Action Images

ordinarybloke added 11:11 - Sep 1 Would Mcauley have played against Preston if they played a different strike pairing. Parkin and Brown are big units and in fairness to Mcauley he was extremely vocal to the likes of Balkestein & Smith first half. Not everyones cup of tea agreed but being dropped might have been the catalyst for him kick starting his season. His distribution in the second half was awful, but everytime he received the ball it was greeted with jeers and boos .... I too am looking forward to that 'surprise signing' that may well be coming - dont think it will be Dos Santos - more likely to be Georges Santos - and also cant believe that Jim hasnt come sniffing back round the likes of Garven/Mcauley and Smith ... yet ???

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corshamblue added 11:27 - Sep 1 Ordinarybloke, I'm dreading the Surprise Signing - RK's thus far hasn't done too well with the players in/out. McAuley will grow and grow as his confidence comes back, something that was knocked out of him but the Idiots Godzilla singled out. I also think the split stands [Tiers] in the South doesn't help, it blocks the noise from below and it's the same in the North too!.. Get some speakers and pump the sound back in!! We can combine and make a real noise then] .... at the moment it's like singing on an 1970's long distance phone call. I'd like to see the McAuley have a go at Rightback for Town? I'm sure he'd be happy, like all players he just wants to play and be supported whilst doing so!

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rayman_10 added 11:37 - Sep 1 corshamblue, i agree, why not give McAuely a go at right back? He does a great job for N.I. there. And why not try his long throw once in a while? I know it aint pretty but it causes problems for the defending team
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ITFC_james added 11:54 - Sep 1 Sell Sell Sell him, got no use for him anymore, we have good enough defenders, and pim is already twice as good as gareth, get the money and sell him
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Jimmy86 added 12:52 - Sep 1 for me jury's out on mcauley, last season ended up turnin out alright, but it took him at least half the season to get up to speed and was 1 of magiltons cream of the crop, much talked about signings, along with Norris. was at fault for both goals against coventry on the opening day and should have done better. maybe now he has the captaincy taken off him he can concetrate on his game, he wasn't a good captain and is often seen just standing around not geeing up the guys let alone his defensive colleagues

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TractorMan added 13:03 - Sep 1 Balkestein has potential, but you can see McCauley is struggling trying to continually cover for a slip or mistake by him. For me we should not be selling McCauley, but sending out Balkestein on loan to top-end L1 club to get his overall game better.
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darren_cox added 13:44 - Sep 1 I hope this is true. If he wants a lift up there I would happily drive him up.
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