MIDDLESBROUGH are exploring the possibility of adding promising defender Ljubo Milicevic to the Australian contingent at the Riverside Stadium - particularly if one target is missed.

German club Bayer Leverkusen last night warned Boro to keep their hands off Austrian left-back Emanuel Pogatetz, who is high on Steve McClaren's summer transfer list.

And, while McClaren is unlikely to be deterred in his advance for Pogatetz, the Teessiders are keeping a close eye on Milicevic and will watch Australia's friendly with New Zealand at Craven Cottage on Thursday.

With Mark Schwarzer, Mark Viduka and Brad Jones already in the North-East, Milicevic would become the fourth man from Down Under on Boro's playing staff if a deal can be brokered.

The 24-year-old has struggled with long-term injury but, after making a complete recovery, is being hailed as Australia's answer to Rio Ferdinand.

McClaren is keen to strengthen in defence and it would be difficult for Milicevic's employers, Swiss side FC Thun, to persuade him to stay if a Premiership club came calling.

The former captain of the Socceroos Under-23s has had an impressive reputation since his days as a star pupil at the Australian Institute for Sport - where Harry Kewell's skills were developed.

But the ex-Basel and Perth Glory man only made his international debut in March when Frank Farina's side played Indonesia at the Subiaco Oval in a tsunami fundraiser.

And Farina believes the composed centre-back has the talent to become a star on the Premiership stage. "He's certainly got all the ability - the technique, the size, the ball control - to help him succeed at the top level," he said.

Mainly due to injury problems, Milicivic has struggled to fulfill the early potential he had when he turned his back on hometown Canberra five years ago.

Boro's pursuit of Pogatetz, meanwhile, continues to be a drawn out affair.

McClaren was first alerted to the player's ability when he impressed during Boro's UEFA Cup clash with Grazer AK earlier this year.

Pogatetz was on loan from Bayer Leverkusen at that time and he has since gone on another temporary move to Spartak Moscow.

Spartak are understood to have negotiated a first refusal clause in the deal and can sign him for around £1.3m.

However, following Boro's emergence as genuine candidates for his signature, Bayer have upped the ante by insisting Pogatetz, who has three years to run on his contract at the Bay Arena, is going nowhere.

Bayer boss Klaus Augenthaler said: "I have told him that he had committed himself to us. I expect him to join us after his holidays and I am sure he will give his best for us then."

* England secured their place in the last four of the Toulon Under-20 tournament with an impressive 3-0 win over South Korea.

Liam Rosenior scored a sixth-minute opener for an England side featuring Boro's Andrew Davies and Newcastle's Darren Ambrose before Greg Halford and Nigel Reo-Coker completed the scoring.

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