MIDDLESBROUGH were last night in talks with Rangers' Peter Lovenkrands over a permanent move to the Riverside.

The Scottish champions confirmed the Danish forward was in the North-East for discussions with Steve McClaren.

Lovenkrands turned down the chance of a switch to Portsmouth earlier in the summer, but Boro's UEFA Cup spot may be enough to persuade him to head to Teesside.

The 25-year-old is out of contract next summer and Gers' boss Alex McLeish is determined to hammer out a cash deal for the player to strengthen his hand in the transfer market.

The Denmark international can play wide or up front and cost Rangers £1.5m in the summer of 2000. Boro are keen to add to their ranks and McClaren is acting quickly after missing out on Ghanaian international Stephen Appiah.

The former Juventus player opted to move to Fenerbahce instead of Teesside last week, with McClaren even launching an 11th hour bid to get him to change his mind.

Despite missing out on one target McClaren has other irons in the fire, and Boro are hopeful their European status will give them increased bargaining power in their transfer dealings.

The Teessiders were yesterday linked with a move for Inter Milan's Edgar Davids, but McClaren may opt for players closer to home.

Former Boro loan signing Geremi - out of favour at Chelsea - remains high on McClaren's wanted list along with Charlton's attacking midfielder Jason Euell, who is available for around £2.5m.

McClaren, keen to bring Fulham's left-sided forward Luis Boa Morte to Teesside, will also be interested in the news that Everton's Tim Cahill has turned down an improved contract at Goodison Park.

The former Millwall player was a massive hit in the Premiership last term and was seen by many as one of the major reasons behind the Toffees surprise top four finish.

After their qulification for the Champions league Everton were keen to reward the Australia international, but Cahill has stunned manager David Moyes, saying: "I was keen to commit my future but it seems that won't be possible.

"I'm very disappointed we have not been able to agree terms."

* Stewart Downing will make his pre-season bow tonight at Carlisle United's Brunton Park.

The Middlesbrough winger has been out of action since damaging knee ligaments and being sent home from England's tour of America in May.

Since then all talk regarding the international has centred on his Boro future with negotiations over an improved contract on Teesside stalling in June.

But the 20-year-old delighted Boro fans by verbally agreeing a new five-year contract at the Riverside earlier this month, and he'll receive a warm welcome at Carlisle this evening from the travelling support.

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