Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is expected to step up his interest for Aston Villa goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen following the injury to Mark Schwarzer suffered this week.

The Northern Echo says Sorensen has not made a Premier League appearance all season, with Villa boss Martin O'Neill preferring England international Scott Carson to the experienced Dane.

Carson's loan move from Liverpool is expected to become permanent in January, enabling O'Neill to listen to offers for 31-year-old Sorensen.

Boro are unlikely to be the only club bidding for his services, but the opportunity to play regular top-flight football would be of major appeal to the Scandinavian.