MIDDLESBROUGH were locked in talks last night over a £500,000 move for Millwall wing-back Lucas Neill.

Manager Bryan Robson agreed a cut-price deal for the Aussie, who is out of contract in the summer and available for nothing.

Neill was in negotiation with club officials over contract terms and Boro are hoping to complete the switch before tomorrow's transfer deadline.

The six-foot, right-sided midfielder was checked by Terry Venables recently in the game against Luton.

The Boro coach was already aware of Neill from his spell in charge of Australia in the build-up to the '98 World Cup finals.

The 23-year-old is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Sport and the New South Wales soccer academy, which produced Harry Kewell and several other top names.

He will join fellow Aussies Mark Schwarzer, Paul Okon, Luke Wilkshire and Brad Jones at the Riverside if the transfer goes through.

Boro's most popular overseas star at present, Croatian Alen Boksic, has been offered a way back into international football.

Boksic quit last year after being hit by a series of injuries following a £2.5m move to Boro from Lazio.

But the 30-year-old has now shaken off his fitness problems and is leading the club's Premiership survival fight with 11 goals this season.

New coach Mirko Jozic would welcome him back as Croatia battle to qualify for the World Cup finals.

"The door is always open if Alen wants to come back to the national team," said Jozic. "He has been a great player for Croatia and it is a decision that can be changed."

Boksic, who had a ten-year international career, bowed out in November to concentrate on the Premiership challenge when Croatia changed their coach.

They finished third in France '98 but failed to qualify for the Euro 2000 finals and now face a home test against Latvia in a World Cup qualifier in Osijek on Saturday, their first competitive game under Jozic.

Boksic, who signed a four-year contract in July to become the highest-paid player in Middlesbrough's history, started with five goals in his first six games.

Injuries then took a toll but his winning double-strike at Newcastle on Saturday earned Boro more breathing space in the danger zone.

And they will have unlucky Dean Windass back to partner Boksic at Chelsea next week.

Venables revealed the £1m striker will be ready in time for Stamford Bridge after his freak back injury.

"Dean's feeling a lot better. It shouldn't be a problem for our next game," he said. "Something clicked, but now the swelling has gone down it has been put back into place and the signs are good."

Meanwhile, £2.5m Boro target Matthias Svensson yesterday insisted he wants to stay at The Valley.

The Swede, the subject of an inquiry by manager Bryan Robson last season, was signed by Venables at Portsmouth and Crystal Palace.

But he rejected any chance of linking up with the Boro coach for a third time.

"I've read Charlton have rejected a bid for me but I don't know anything," he said. "I've heard nothing. I'm settled and happy at Charlton.