BRYAN ROBSON, set to stake his claim for the managerial vacancy at Crystal Palace, could make Middlesbrough's Noel Whelan his first signing if he takes the Selhurst Park job.

Robson, out of football since he was sacked by Boro nearly two years ago after seven seasons in charge, is booked for imminent talks with Palace supremo Simon Jordan.

First Division Palace are seeking a replacement for Trevor Francis, who was dismissed last month.

Robson is desperate for a return to the game after being disappointed when he was overlooked for the Republic of Ireland post, which went to the little-known Brian Kerr.

Whelan, surplus to requirements with Boro, joined Palace on loan in March when he teamed up with former Riverside colleague Curtis Fleming, and is understood to be keen to make the move permanent.

The former Leeds star has been unable to command a regular place with Boro since Robson signed him from Coventry for £2m in the summer of 2000.

Boro boss Steve McClaren already has five strikers vying for places - Massimo Maccarone, Malcolm Christie, Michael Ricketts, Szilard Nemeth and Joseph-Desire Job - as well as the attacking talents of Juninho.

But McClaren, unhappy with his side's goal output this season, is still searching for more firepower and would accept a cut-price fee for 28-year-old Whelan.

It has been suggested that McClaren would be prepared to cut his losses on £8.15m club record buy Maccarone, who was substituted at half-time in Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Bolton.

But McClaren maintains he is keeping faith with the 23-year-old Italian international, whose first season on Teesside has yielded only nine goals.

Both Maccarone (shoulder) and Christie (hernia) are due to undergo end-of-season surgery.

Meanwhile, McClaren has offered a contract to on-loan midfielder Doriva, who arrived from Spanish side Celta Vigo in January. The 30-year-old Brazilian impressed at Bolton, where he almost grabbed a late equaliser after fellow interval substitute Ricketts had halved the deficit by opening his Boro goal account against his former club.

McClaren has also opened contract talks with 36-year-old defender Colin Cooper about a one-year deal.

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