MIDDLESBROUGH are in the hunt for one of Wigan Athletic's star performers in an outstanding first season in the Premiership, Jimmy Bullard.

Having been told there is little money available in this month's transfer window to strengthen, unless the wage bill is reduced first, manager Steve McClaren is thought to be lining up a cheeky £2.5m bid.

That on its own is unlikely to tempt Wigan boss Paul Jewell into a sale, given the midfielder's importance to his side as they look to preserve their place in the top half of the league table.

But McClaren - who faces a tricky test in the FA Cup third round at non-league Nuneaton Borough tomorrow - is thought to be ready to offer at least one of his players in part-exchange.

During the summer Jewell considered a move for striker Szilard Nemeth and the Slovakian is certainly one player Boro are happy to see move on.

Massimo Maccarone and former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour's names could also crop up in attempts to persuade the Latics part with Bullard.

The 27-year-old only cost Wigan £275,000 three years ago from Peterborough, but he has proven this year that he is a lot more than a Football League player.

Other clubs are known to have shown an interest in Bullard, whose eight goals in 129 appearances highlight he is more a creator than a goalscorer.

He only signed a new three-year contract in the summer, so Wigan are not going to allow one of their star performers to go easily.

But Boro are hoping the prospect of playing in UEFA Cup this season will play a part in their bid to land the energetic middle-man, who shot to prominence in non-league with Gravesend and Northfleet before moving to West Ham and Peterborough.

The ankle injury to George Boateng, who is not due back until the start of February at the earliest, has highlighted the importance of adding fresh midfield faces to his squad this month.

McClaren is at least buoyed by the news England winger Stewart Downing has been penciled into make his comeback for the reserves next week.

Downing has not played since damaging his cruciate knee ligaments against Charlton in the August defeat, but is will play for the reserves at Billingham Synthonia on Tuesday.

The news of the £7m left-midfielder's return is a relief to McClaren whose side have failed to win any of their last seven league matches and have a number of other injury problems.

Full-back Franck Queudrue was the latest to be added to the injury-list with an ankle injury and is sidelined for at least six weeks.

* Boro have been told they can have 4,000 tickets for next month's UEFA Cup first leg tie at German club Stuttgart. All tickets are priced £14 and will be available at the end of this month.

The actual date of the game will be announced next week. The away leg is scheduled for either Wednesday or Thursday February 15/16. The return is scheduled for February 23 at the Riverside.

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