CHELSEA goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini has emerged as a surprise transfer target for Middlesbrough as Mark Schwarzer continues to edge towards the Riverside exit door.

Boro boss Steve McClaren has spent the last week running the rule over a number of shot-stoppers, with Schwarzer looking increasingly unlikely to sign a new deal with the club.

The Australia international, who is out of contract at the end of the season, maintains that Boro have not made a renewed contract offer since talks collapsed last November.

Middlesbrough officials claim that discussions are still ongoing but, with Manchester United poised to swoop before the end of the month, McClaren is aware of the need to cover all eventualities.

Boro scouts have already watched Norwich's Robert Green and Bolton's Jussi Jaaskelainen in recent months, but the Teessiders are now understood to have turned their attentions towards Cudicini.

The Chelsea number two has been little more than a bystander this season because of the fine form of Czech international Petr Cech.

Last night's Carling Cup semi-final appearance was only Cudicini's sixth of the season - none of which have come in the Premiership - and the Italian has become increasingly frustrated with his peripheral role.

That frustration is set to increase later this week, with Chelsea expected to complete the signing of promising teenager Scott Carson from Leeds.

Carson's arrival would force Cudicini to consider his options, and Boro are confident the promise of first-team football would entice him to the North-East.

McClaren's next move depends on how the Schwarzer situation develops. Middlesbrough are adamant they will not be held to ransom and insist they will not improve the offer of a three-year deal that is currently on the table.

Schwarzer has turned that down once and, with both sides refusing to budge, the Aussie looks set to run down the remaining five months of his contract even if nobody comes in for him this month.

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough yesterday played down fears that Stuart Parnaby and Malcolm Christie had suffered serious injury set-backs in Tuesday night's reserve-team defeat to Everton.

The pair, who are both battling back from long-term problems, were withdrawn at half-time as Boro's second-string lost to Everton side at Billingham. Christie has a sore hamstring, while Parnaby has hurt his knee, but Boro hope both players will continue along the road to recovery.

* Boro's Premiership home game with Charlton has been put back 24 hours to Sunday, February 27, (3pm) because of the UEFA Cup game with AK Graz.

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