MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren will have to start the bidding at £8m to land Derby County's England midfielder Seth Johnson.

Since he took charge of Boro in the summer, former Derby first-team coach McClaren has been keeping close tabs on 22-year-old Johnson.

Derby chairman Lionel Pickering yesterday revealed that the Rams last week rejected an offer worth up to £7m for the left-sided schemer, but refused to name the club involved.

Rangers and Leeds, as well as Boro, are among the clubs keen on the former Crewe Alexandra player.

But Ibrox chief David Murray has denied that his club have made a firm bid for Johnson, who cost £3m when he left Dario Gradi's Gresty Road academy nearly two-and-a-half years ago.

Pickering insists he will resist offers for Pride Park's prize assets.

But with ex-Boro boss Colin Todd having stepped up yesterday to take over from Jim Smith as manager, the Rams' resolve could soon be tested again.

Pickering admitted: "We have debts of around £20m and there are no secrets about this. But we don't want to sell players.

"Last week, we rejected a bid of £6m, plus another £1m in add-ons, for Seth Johnson.

"We have found it difficult, though, to sell what we call fringe players."

Birmingham-born Johnson won his one England cap when he appeared as a late substitute in the friendly in Italy last November.

Meanwhile, Boro's attacking midfielder Dean Windass returned to training yesterday to press his claims for a recall in tomorrow's Worthington Cup third-round tie against Premiership rivals Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

Windass has missed the last two games since sustaining a knee ligament injury in the 2-1 win at Leicester three weeks ago.

Left-back Dean Gordon and forward Noel Whelan, who have yet to figure this season because of injuries, are also back in training but need match practice before they can be considered.

Gordon has had calf problems, while Whelan has suffered toe and back trouble.