THE PREMIER League are set to name the date when Liverpool and Christian Ziege will face charges over the German international's controversial move from Middlesbrough 18 months ago.

Northern Echo Sport exclusively revealed in September that Liverpool and their former defender Ziege, now at Tottenham, had been charged with breaches of transfer regulations.

Liverpool became the first Premiership club to be charged with making an illegal approach to a player after Boro complained to the Premier League when Ziege took legal action to invoke an escape clause in his contract - one year into a five-year agreement - and seal a £5.5m deal.

A Premier League disciplinary commission could sit before the end of the month, 16 months after the investigation was launched.

It is understood that the health problems of Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier have been a contributory factor in the hearing being delayed.

Houllier, who has just returned to work on a part-time basis after five months' recuperation from life-saving heart surgery, is likely to be a key witness.

Boro were understood to be seeking a further £2.5m from Liverpool as compensation for the loss of Ziege, who they believe had a market value of £8m at the time of his transfer to Anfield.

Liverpool insisted there had been no wrongdoing on their part and Houllier labelled Boro's claims "laughable''.

At worst, both Liverpool and Ziege are likely to be fined if found guilty.

Intriguingly, Liverpool visit the Riverside on Saturday, but - on doctor's orders - Houllier won't be in attendance.

Meanwhile, Boro boss Steve McClaren has set his players the task of securing Premiership safety before their FA Cup semi-final on Sunday, April 14.

McClaren believes another seven points, giving Boro a total of 42, will be enough to guarantee survival.

They have five games before the semi with Arsenal or Newcastle and three of them are at home, starting with Liverpool.

"We've had a tremendous week but we haven't got anywhere yet,'' warned McClaren.

"We still have a lot of work to do before we can say we've had a good season.

"I believe we need another seven points, but they're going to be hard to get. Until it's a mathematical certainty, nobody can relax.

"Our next two games are Liverpool here and Manchester United away and we've got tough games after that.''

The quarter-final win over Everton on Sunday put Boro - who have never won a major trophy - in an FA Cup semi for only the second time in their history.

They have conceded only eight goals in 15 games since the start of the year and lost just twice.

"You need character first and foremost and we've got that," added McClaren. "The players are also mentally tougher now. We've built a platform and we're improving. We're starting to add some quality.

"We know whether we meet Newcastle or Arsenal we are in for a very tough game, but it is one we are very much looking forward to.

"The atmosphere here on Sunday was tremendous - we were trying to give the fans something to shout about and they really lifted the place.

"Let's hope they can do it again on Saturday.''