CHELSEA'S African midfielder Geremi was believed to have been on Teesside yesterday discussing a move back to Middlesbrough, writesPaul Fraser.

The Cameroon international looks destined for a second spell at Boro as manager Steve McClaren searches for the player who can fill the void left by the injured Gaizka Mendieta.

And, following the arrival of Czech Republic star Jiri Jarosik from CSKA Moscow at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, Chelsea are willing to allow Geremi to return to the Riverside Stadium.

The 26-year-old enjoyed his first spell at Boro in the 2002-03 campaign and the club's supporters, as well as McClaren, warmed to the adventurous way he played. But, after his loan deal expired from Real Madrid, Boro could not compete with Chelsea's billions and Geremi moved to west London in a £7m deal. He was a key part of Claudio Ranieri's team last season but has only started two league matches for Jose Mourinho, who praised the player's attitude recently for accepting his peripheral part.

And it is understood Boro have swooped and an initial loan deal until the end of the campaign is on the cards.

It is hoped that the move will go through in time for Geremi to face Everton next weekend.

McClaren has already been knocked back in his attempts to sign Inter Milan's Greek midfielder Giorgios Karagounis and it now looks unlikely that Amdy Faye will be coming to the North-East, with McClaren unwilling to pay the £2.5m asking price for the Senegalese midfielder.

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