Sydney FC are hoping that English Premier League club Middlesbrough will travel down under for a pre-season friendly. The Sky Blues have set aside either the 18th or 19th July for a match at Sydney Football Stadium and are currently holding discussions with Boro officials.

"The only thing holding up discussions at the moment is Middlesbrough is seeking a second game here in Australia," Sydney chief executive Stefan Kamasz said.

"We are also trying to help with that with other clubs."

If Middlesbrough agree to come to Sydney, they will be the third English club in the country this off season that will play A-League clubs, joining Fulham and Wolverhampton.