MIDDLESBROUGH manager Tony Mowbray will give his young players a chance to impress during pre-season, but admits they will be sent out on loan if he feels it will benefit their development.

Mowbray's squad has returned to training after the summer break and preparations ahead of the new season are beginning to gather pace.

The Boro boss made his first summer signing in the shape of Hungarian midfielder Jozsef Varga, who will complete his year-long loan deal on July 1.

Having seen seven first-team players depart, Mowbray is looking to add new faces to help his side mount a serious promotion challenge.

At the end of last season he hinted that some of his younger players would be given a chance to cement their places in the first-team as funds to strengthen his side were limited.

Three of Boro's young guns - Connor Ripley, Adam Reach and Luke Williams - are currently representing England at the Under-20 World Cup in Turkey and Mowbray hopes a competitive international tournament will aid their development.

"I think it's great for them," Mowbray said. "Luke and Adam both scored in the build up and Connor played in goal the other night and made some great saves having watched the highlights.

"Gary Gill is out there watching their games, I spoke to Luke's mother the other day and she told me he couldn't wait to return to pre-season with us.

"They come back with a nice tan, but they also come back and their chest is a little wider, they're an inch taller and they've filled out. Hopefully it's a big season for them."

Williams scored in England's opening 2-2 draw with Iraq, and while he insists they were given plenty of game time last season, Mowbray admits they will be sent out to other clubs if he cannot guarantee them regular action.

He said: "They played 15-20 games last season in the first-team but it is a big year. We need them to try and make the step up to having a more regular place in the first-team.

"If not, there'll be opportunities for them to go out on loan. Sometimes at their age it's more beneficial to go out and play 40 games a season somewhere if they're only going to get another ten for us and sit on the bench.

"That doesn't help their progression. We'll take them through pre-season with us and, at the end of that, we'll access we need bodies and decide what they'll do.

"I think Ben Gibson falls into that category too and we'll look at the end of the summer and see what is going to be the best option for their progression."

Reach and Williams have already been linked with Hartlepool United, as has Curtis Main, after they installed former Boro Under-18s coach Colin Cooper as their manager.

"Coops has been on the phone," Mowbray admitted. "He understands they will be doing pre-season with us and then we'll sit down and see what happens."

Meanwhile, Yeovil Town remain keen to sign Matty Dolan, but are refusing to bow to the Riverside club's demands for a fee.

Dolan, Hartlepool-born, impressed the Glovers during an injury-hit loan spell last season, convincing manager Gary Johnson that he would be worthy of a permanent switch despite his time on the sidelines.

He is another Pools' boss Cooper is keen on.