MIDDLESBROUGH'S search for a playmaking midfielder appears to be approaching a fruitful end with Brazilian Fabio Rochemback expected to join ahead of tomorrow's transfer deadline.

But Boro boss Steve McClaren - who should also offload Joseph Job and Szilard Nemeth within the next 24 hours - is frantically trying to line up a left-sided player as the chances of a Sporting Lisbon double deal involving Rudolph Douala appear to be dwindling.

The need for McClaren, also linked with Tottenham's Sean Davis, to strengthen his squad was emphasised on Sunday when they were comfortably beaten by Charlton at the Riverside Stadium.

Summer signings Aiyegbeni Yakubu and Emanuel Pogatetz - at a combined cost of £9.3m - both played their part in a dreadful defeat and they are unlikely to be the last arrivals before the transfer window swings shut tomorrow.

It had looked as if a move for Douala was far more likely than a Rochemback deal being struck, but that is now the complete opposite. Despite a £5.5m fee agreed with Sporting for Douala he continues to maintain a reluctance to leave Lisbon for the North-East of England, particularly as he is cup-tied and unable to play in the UEFA Cup.

But Rochemback - expected to fly in for talks today - is thought to be keen on the idea of testing himself in the Premiership and he would team up with fellow Brazilian Doriva at the Riverside.

The 23-year-old has been trying to gain an EU passport in a bid to complete the switch to the English top-flight and European blood in the South American's lineage has solved the problem.

Rochemback's need for a passport has been made more necessary after it became apparent that he is unlikely to receive a work permit; having not played for his county on a regular basis in recent years.

Nevertheless he is still determined to make next summer's World Cup squad and could strengthen his claims at Boro, who have agreed to match the buy-out clause at his parent club Barcelona.

If Rochemback does arrive he is unlikely to be joined in training at Rockliffe Park by peripheral striking duo Job and Nemeth.

Both men are close to ending their Boro careers with moves out of the Premiership.

Job, who has already rejected deals with West Ham and Crystal Palace, has been in discussions over the weekend with a number of clubs and there is talk of him making a lucrative switch to the Middle East.

While Slovakian Nemeth, known more as a super-sub than a serious contender for a first team shirt at Boro, is contemplating playing in the Czech Republic having spurned Wigan and CSKA Moscow's advances.

Boro chairman Steve Gibson has not ruled out the possibility of players moving on before tomorrow night.

"It's possible there could be out-goings," said Gibson. "Nothing's happened so far but it's a fact that you can't keep on piling up the footballers. It's not in their interests to stay if they are only going to be on the periphery of the team."

l Holland international forward Andy van der Meyde has been on Merseyside undergoing a medical at Everton with a view to a move from Inter Milan.

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