MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren has turned to former Newcastle striker Ray Clarke to unearth Europe's top talent.

Clarke is poised to take up the role of European scout, a post he filled with Coventry, as McClaren reshapes Boro's backroom set-up.

McClaren has brought in Aston Villa's No 2 Steve Harrison and goalkeeping coach Paul Barron, along with Derby County first-team coach Steve Round and sports psychologist Bill Beswick.

Now Clarke, who had a short spell with Newcastle in season 1980/81, is joining the new Boro regime.

The 48-year-old Londoner has made a name for himself scouting on the Continent, especially in Holland where he discovered Newcastle target David Mendes da Silva, the Sparta Rotterdam teenager who is at the centre of a tug-of-war between the Magpies and Ajax.

It is understood Clarke's appointment does not affect the position of chief scout Ray Train.

Meanwhile, Boro will be heading Clarke's way when they embark on a mini-tour of Holland. McClaren's side face Willem II Tilburg on Thursday, August 9, followed by a game against Den Haag two days later.

The first team also visit Scarborough on Wednesday, July 25 (7.30pm) and Mansfield on Saturday, 28 (3pm), before providing the opposition for Lee Cartwright's testimonial at Preston on Wednesday, August 1 (7.45pm).

* Boro and newly-promoted Bolton are reported to have dropped out of the hunt for FC Utrecht's Stijn Vreven. The 27-year-old full-back has also attracted interest from Derby, Ajax and Feyenoord.

Read more about the Boro here.