STEVE McClaren remains confident of bringing in the two players he feels Middlesbrough are still short of, despite admitting he was rapidly running out of options with the start of the new season fast approaching.

The Teessiders take on Spanish side Espanyol at the Riverside in their final pre-season game on Sunday, with McClaren hoping to have two more midfielders on board by then.

The Boro boss has been trying to bolster his central ranks all summer, but the likes of Bolo Zenden, Stephen Appiah and Owen Hargreaves have all rebuffed his advances.

He will be making a number of fresh approaches in the next 48 hours but, while his midfield hit-list continues to shrink, he is refusing to hit the panic button ahead of next weekend's Premiership opener against Liverpool.

"We are endeavouring to bring in two players because we feel we need to do that," said McClaren, who admitted his side were well below par in Wednesday night's 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid.

"The list of targets has come down rapidly and we are running out of time. But we need to (make further signings) because we are not strong enough squad-wise.

"The biggest thing is not to panic. We have to be patient and eventually something will break - it always does. We want to sign the right people. We know where we want to go, but the list isn't very big.

"We are still in the early stages, but we have a month to go and I'm talking about the long-term rather than needing players in before the start of the season.

"We have a big enough squad for the start, but I am looking beyond that because we need two players before the end of August. We need more competition in midfield."

Sporting Lisbon midfielder Rudolph Douala is understood to have become the latest player to have come under McClaren's microscope.

The Cameroon international impressed as Sporting dumped both Middlesbrough and Newcastle out of the UEFA Cup last season and can play on either side of the pitch.

He is unlikely to become a team-mate of Szilard Nemeth's if he arrives on Teesside though, as the Slovakian is close to agreeing a move to Czech side Sparta Prague.

Nemeth's agent, Karol Csonto, last night confirmed the striker had been discussing a possible loan move that would initially see him move to the Czech capital until Christmas.

Joseph-Desire Job is likely to be following him out of the Riverside exit door after underlining his desire to secure a move away from Middlesbrough.

The Cameroon international recently turned down the chance of joining Championship side Crystal Palace, but remains disillusioned with his lack of opportunities on Teesside.

"The season starts soon," said Job. "But it's obvious that again I will not be a regular at Middlesbrough.

"It's true that I want to move on because, like any player, I want to play more and I know for sure I won't get that here.

"If I have the opportunity to move to another club and play more regularly, then I will take that chance."

* Malcolm Christie faces at least another fortnight on the sidelines after Boro's medical staff recommended an operation to remove a metal plate in his leg.

Ugo Ehiogu is also a doubt for next weekend's Premiership opener against Liverpool after suffering a groin strain in Wednesday's defeat to Atletico.

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