STEVE HARRISON last night revealed the role played by Manchester United strike duo Dwight Yorke and Teddy Sheringham in his appointment at Middlesbrough.

Steve McClaren quit as assistant to United manager Sir Alex Ferguson to become a first-time boss with Boro, and Harrison was one of his first recruits.

The former England backroom man left Aston Villa after three years as first-team coach to take up the same post at the Riverside.

Harrison is a popular figure with players throughout the game and he admitted: "I talk to players a lot and I know Dwight and Teddy very well.

"I worked with Dwight at Villa and Teddy with England, and after hearing the things they said about Steve McClaren, I thought to myself: 'I'll have some of this before I get my allotment'. I know Steve had planned this move into management for a while, and the situation at United (Ferguson is quitting at the end of next season) accelerated things.

"I was flattered that a guy like Steve, an England coach who has won everything with United over the last couple of years, wanted me to join him.''

One-time Watford manager Harrison insists his parting with Villa boss John Gregory was amicable.

"It was a shock when John told me Steve had been on the phone and did I want to speak to him,'' said Harrison. "I was impressed with what Steve had to say and his enthusiasm.

"I was happy at Villa - when Steve rang I was cutting my lawn after just buying a new house - and I left on good terms. There was no animosity at all.

"It didn't take me long to make my mind up once I'd spoken to Steve and seen the stadium here and the training facilities.

"I see what Steve wants and that excites me. He wants to build a coaching regime.''

McClaren has also taken Paul Barron from Villa as goalkeeping specialist, Steve Round from Derby as reserve-team coach, and raised a few eyebrows by bringing in sports psychologist Bill Beswick as his assistant manager.

But Harrison said: "I've been very impressed with Bill. I've never worked with anyone like him before. The fact that he wants to not only work on the players but also the coaches, is exciting.''

Harrison stressed: "I've no more managerial ambitions. I had a dabble at that and it didn't suit me.

"I'm happy doing what I'm doing. I've coached at every level from schoolboy to full international, and from the Fourth Division to the top flight.

"I know I can relax players and be relaxed with them and that's one of the reasons Steve has brought me here.

"Possibly me being here will attract a few players.''

McClaren hopes Villa's Gareth Southgate will be one of them. The England defender, subject of a £7m bid, is the type of professional role model McClaren wants in his side.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace boss Steve Bruce insists reports that he has offered £750,000 for Boro striker Brian Deane are "pure speculation''.

Bruce, however, is known to be interested in Boro front-runner Andy Campbell, who he formerly had on loan at Sheffield United.

* As reported in Northern Echo Sport on Wednesday, Boro have had talks with Bordeaux defender Francois Grenet.

* Bristol Rovers are reported to be keen on released Boro goalkeeper Chris Bennion.

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