MIDDLESBROUGH defender Steve Vickers last night faced up to the "hardest'' decision of his career.

The Boro centre-back was having further talks with Crystal Palace boss Steve Bruce about a proposed £500,000 move to Selhurst Park.

Vickers, unable to persuade new manager Steve McClaren to reward his loyal service with an extension to the one year remaining on his contract, is agonising over his future.

Bishop Auckland-born Vickers, who returned to the North-East nearly eight years ago when Lennie Lawrence signed him from Tranmere Rovers for £750,000, yesterday admitted that a move south would prove a wrench.

Vickers, 33, said: "I'm about to speak to Steve Bruce again. He's desperate for me to go there, but it's the hardest thing I've had to make my mind up about for a long time.

"Palace want an answer from me as quickly as possible. Steve Bruce wants the deal tying up. I went down to see him last week and he came across very well.''

Palace, who began their First Division campaign with a 3-2 win at Rotherham on Saturday, are also hoping to land Australia defender Tony Popovic, who has been on trial from Japanese side Hiroshima.

Bruce's need for defensive reinforcements has been heightened by the loss of Chinese star Fan Zhiyi, who will be away on international duty for 14 weeks.

"We are not a big side physically, and we have to act," said Bruce. "We are talking to Steve Vickers. We've agreed a fee and we hope we get a positive sign this week.

"I need someone like Steve. I have an average age of 23 and that's not right. I need a bit of experience."

Vickers was yesterday named in the Boro squad for the North Riding Senior Cup final at York City tonight (7.45). Midfielder Phil Stamp, who has been in talks with Millwall over a projected £800,000 deal, is also in the 17-man party.

Boro (from): Beresford, Bennion, Stockdale, Gavin, Vickers, Gordon, Okon, Mustoe, Windass, Hudson, Deane, Wilkshire, Stamp, Summerbell, Parnaby, Close, Downing.

Meanwhile, Boro striker Alen Boksic last night linked up with Croatia for their game against the Republic of Ireland tomorrow night. Boksic, sent home from Boro's two-match visit to Holland last week after picking up a back injury in transit, trained yesterday and underwent treatment before flying to Dublin.

Boro boss McClaren, who is himself on international duty as part of Sven-Goran Eriksson's England coaching team, will be praying Boksic comes through unscathed ahead of Saturday's season opener at home to Arsenal.

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