STEVE McCLAREN is searching the globe for a new striker to boost his misfiring Middlesbrough squad.

The Boro boss is desperate to bring in fresh blood when the transfer window opens in January, to compete with his under-performing forwards for their first team places.

Club record signing Massimo Maccarone has not scored in nine outings, while strike partner Alen Boksic has found the net only once since the start of the current campaign. Slovakian Szilard Nemeth did score against West Ham United on Saturday but he has been unable to command a regular place in Boro's starting XI.

McClaren and chief executive Keith Lamb are thought to have been desperately trying to line-up a new face over the past couple of weeks.

Celtic's John Hartson is understood to have already been the subject of interest from Boro, but the Scottish giants are reluctant to allow the Welshman to leave.

McClaren is known to be a keen admirer of Derby County's Malcolm Christie, who has been consistently linked with a move to Teesside over the past 18 months.

Cash-strapped Derby have to sell and any move by Boro is likely to result in the player heading north for talks.

McClaren is reported to have made an approach for Udinese front-man Vincenzo Iaqunita in recent weeks, but he is thought to have turned down the chance of a loan deal.

Argentinian superstar Gabriel Batistuta, currently with Serie A side Roma, has indicated he would consider a move to the Riverside.

Boro are also thought to have shown an interest in Real Madrid midfielder Claude Makelele.

The French midfielder's agent Marc Roger has held talks with the Spanish giants over a new deal at the Bernabeu, but no terms were agreed.

And Roger's business partner, Jaime Ladjemi, has revealed that Boro are just one of a few English clubs to have shown an interest in the player.

"Manchester United, Tottenham and Middlesbrough have all asked about him," he said.

"He could also move to Italy tomorrow if he wanted to but he wants to move to England.

"We are waiting to hear what the English clubs have to say. Tottenham and Middlesbrough are both very good clubs and he would be prepared to listen to all interested parties - he is open-minded."

Meanwhile, Boro loan star Geremi - a former teammate of Makelele - has warned the Teessiders that they must learn to live without Joseph-Desire Job.

Cameroon man Job is likely to be missing for most of his side's Christmas fixtures - including this Saturday's clash with Chelsea - and Boro proved he will be a big miss during last weekend's 2-2 with West Ham.

Geremi, a fellow countryman of Job's, said: "We know that Joseph will be missing for almost three weeks and we will have to try to use one of the other players while he is missing.

"With him we play very well and I think the manager is aware of that but we also have to play without him."

* Boro Reserves played some good football but created few clear cut chances when they were held to a goalless draw by West Bromwich Albion Reserves last night, writes JACK LESLIE.

Boro almost took the lead with just under ten minutes played when a Stewart Downing header was turned towards goal by Arthur Bernhardt, but cleared off the line by James Chambers.

The visitors almost opened their account a few minutes later when Mark Briggs only just missed the target with an effort from the edge of the area.

Hartlepool-born Craig Dove wasted a golden opportunity when blasting well over from 12 yards with the goal at his mercy, while Albion striker Daniel Carey-Bertram was guilty of a similar miss shortly before half-time when shooting wide from close range.

But chances were few and far between on a very cold evening with the second half offering little to warm the crowd.

West Brom were reduced to ten men for the final 20 minutes when Jordao was showed a second yellow card after going in with studs showing on Mark Wilson.

However, while the hosts increased the pressure on the Albion goal, Boro could not make their man advantage count and it was Albion who almost stole it in injury time with a low shot from Simon Brown just missing the far post.

Boro Reserves: Jones, Close, Murphy, Wilson, Davies, Kelly, Johnston, Dove (Gilroy 82), Bernhardt, Wilkshire, Downing. Subs (not used): Smith, Storey, Agbatar, Turnbull.

West Brom Reserves: Murphy, Chambers, Dyer, Jordao, Lyttle, Mkandawire, Collins, Marshall, Carey-Bertram, Brown, Briggs. Subs (not used): Adams, Crane, Midworth, Warmer.

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