DISGRUNTLED Carlo Nash fears manager Steve McClaren has plans to replace both Middlesbrough goalkeepers sooner rather than later.

Boro's first and second-choice shot-stoppers are both out of contract in the summer and look no nearer signing new deals that would extend their respective stays at the Riverside Stadium.

Earlier this week Schwarzer admitted the chances are he could be on his way as early as this month, with Manchester United and Arsenal still monitoring his situation.

The Australian's concerns stem from Middlesbrough's reluctance to meet his pay demands and a transfer could be sanctioned if a suitable replacement can be found.

Nash's predicament is different. The 31-year-old has only made two appearances in the league cup as well as one Premiership start - when he kept a clean sheet at Aston Villa last season - since moving to Teesside in August 2003.

And the free signing from Manchester City has basically accepted that he will be lucky to be at Middlesbrough for the remainder of his contract never mind beyond.

"It appears Middlesbrough are planning on replacing us with two new goalkeepers," Nash told his personal website. "My contract expires at the end of the season but so far the club have made absolutely no effort to speak to me about my future.

"By now I expected them to know if they want me to stay but I've heard nothing.

"The only conclusion I can draw from the situation is that Middlesbrough aren't bothered about keeping me at the club, so it looks like I'll be leaving either in January or at the end of the season. I'm disappointed about that because I like it here but I can't see any other outcome right now.

"The same applies to Mark Schwarzer, in many ways, because he feels as though the club aren't bothered about keeping him too. We both see our futures away from Middlesbrough due to the lack of activity coming from the club regarding our contracts."

Norwich's Robert Green remains high on McClaren's list of options to succeed Schwarzer if the two parties cannot reach an agreement.

But the England squad member is also a target for Arsenal, and a move to Highbury would be his preferred option when he does eventually leave Carrow Road.

Bolton's Jussi Jaaskelainen and Newcastle's Steve Harper are also possible candidates to replace Schwarzer, and there is every chance McClaren could now be seeking two men to go head-to-head for the first team shirt.

Ironically, Nash's comments come as he could find himself thrust back into McClaren's starting line-up at Notts County tomorrow afternoon.

Middlesbrough travel to Meadow Lane in the third round of the FA Cup and the manager is expected to use the fixture to give some of his regulars a rest.

It will also be a chance for McClaren to build up the match fitness of some of his players who have been struggling with injury.

Both Ugo Ehiogu and Chris Riggott played 67 minutes for the reserves on Wednesday night and are in the squad, while full-back Stuart Parnaby trained yesterday despite suffering a blow to the knee for the second string.

The biggest boost to McClaren has been the return to action of striker Malcolm Christie.

The former Derby front-man has been unfortunate to break his leg on two separate occasions over the past 15 months but is finally on the road to recovery with a comeback pencilled in against County.

With Mark Viduka ruled out for the rest of the month with the hamstring injury sustained on Boxing Day, Christie's fitness could not have come at a better time for Middlesbrough.

And McClaren, expected to be without young hot-shot Danny Graham (calf) tomorrow, said: "Christie looks very sharp. He's been doing well in training and he's certainly in contention."

* Former Middlesbrough midfielder Carlos Marinelli has signed a six month contract at Italian Serie B side Torino.

* Arsenal midfielder Edu has denied reports he has agreed a deal with Spanish champions Valencia.

The Brazilian's failure to agree new terms with Arsenal means he can now talk to other clubs and it has been rumoured that he has already put pen to paper on a deal that will see him swap Highbury for the Mestalla this summer.

However, the 26-year-old said: ''I have not signed anything yet.

''I am waiting for a meeting with Arsenal to see what I am going to do in the future, after that I am going to speak to other clubs."

Read more about Middlesbrough here.