Middlesbrough were on Thursday working hard to push home their interest in French midfielder Didier Digard.

There was no public comment from the club over their pursuit of the 21-year-old Paris St Germain player.

However, £4million-rated Digard has been on Teesside for a medical and to open talks and Boro are optimistic significant progress could be made within the next few days.

They made their move in the knowledge that several other clubs are also monitoring the former Le Havre player's situation, with Newcastle and Portsmouth having also been linked with him.

But Boro are hopeful their early approach has given them a head start as manager Gareth Southgate attempts to bolster his midfield options.