MIDDLESBROUGH'S Paul Ince is being tracked by a number of English clubs, according to the midfielder's agent Steve Kutner.

Influential Ince is currently in talks over a new deal at the Riverside, with his contract ending this summer.

The 34-year-old is thought to be asking for a two-year extension but Boro are only thought to be offering the club's captain a 12-month deal.

But regardless of whether the two parties agree terms Kutner insists his player is continuing to attract interest.

"We aren't allowed to speak to English clubs at the moment," he said. "But three or four out there are keen."

Ince, who is also known to be wanted by a couple of Italian sides, has been superb for Boro all season and he will be a big miss, through suspension, for this Sunday's FA Cup semi-final with Arsenal.

First Division Wolves are thought to have been keeping an eye on the ex-Liverpool, Manchester United and Inter Milan man and the Molineux side could act if they secure promotion to the Premiership.

Meanwhile, Boro have defended their decision not to apply for an InterToto Cup place.

And the Teesside club have revealed that they have turned their backs on a backdoor route into European competition, so they can concentrate on preparations for next season.

Boro's assistant boss Bill Beswick said: "We're a coaching team and pre-season is our most valuable time. We don't want any distractions.

"A lot of players who have not shown their true talent this season missed pre-season."

And Beswick is confident that by not entering the InterToto Cup, which takes places during the build up to the new campaign, Boro will reap the benefits in August.

Boro lost their opening four top-flight matches this time around, and Steve McClaren's number two is convinced the club will not be put through the same again if they give the much-maligned competition a miss.

And Beswick believes striker Szilard Nemeth and midfielder Mark Wilson will look stronger with a full pre-season.

"Nemeth arrived injured and he's struggled to find a proper role, but I don't think he's got the strength our pre-season would give him," he told Boro's official website.

"He's one who could surprise us next year.

"Mark Wilson is another one we think is a 'sleeper'. He perhaps needed this year to toughen up and we think we will have a lot of pressure for places which is exactly what we want."

Boro's decision not to enter the InterToto Cup could still be proved right if they claim a place in the UEFA Cup by beating Arsenal on Sunday to progress to the FA Cup final.

Then, if Chelsea beat Fulham in the other semi-final, a place in the UEFA Cup will be assured even if they are defeated by the Blues.

l Boro Reserves were knocked off the top of the FA Premier Reserve League North last night as they lost 2-1 at home to Bolton at the same time as Newcastle United were winning at St James's.

Steve Round's side were expected to gain revenge for an early season defeat, but Wanderers completed the double with goals either side of half-time.

After an ordinary opening 40 minutes the visitors took the lead when a Bo Hansen shot took a deflection which looped the ball up over goalkeeper Brad Jones. Three minutes into the second half Hansen was at it again twisting past Boro defenders to fire a low shot beyond the reach of Jones from inside the box.

Boro made a triple substitution with 18 minutes of the second half played and the new look side seemed to have more energy with Jamie Cade reducing the arrears with a powerful shot from close range.

Boro: Jones, Close, Murphy, Hudson, Gavin, Cooper, Stamp (Cade 63), Debeve (Smith 63), Dove, Marinelli (Gulliver 63), Downing. Subs (not used) Brunt, Turnbull (gk)

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