IT'S looking increasingly likely that Wolves will cash in on Ryan Giles this summer, with Middlesbrough ready to make a fresh push to bring the defender back to the Riverside.

Wolves are pushing to sign Aaron Cresswell from Premier League rivals West Ham United, with boss Julen Lopetegui finalising his left-back plans for the coming campaign after closely studying his options in the early stages of pre-season.

If a deal can be agreed for Cresswell, the experienced defender is expected to battle with Hugo Bueno for the lack back berth at Molineux - with Wolves then expected to sanction a loan move for Rayan Ait-Nouri and the permanent exit of Giles.

After his hugely impressive loan spell on Teesside last season, Boro have closely monitored Giles' situation throughout the summer, with the 23-year-old always top of the club's left-back wishlist.

There is competition for his signature, however, with Luton Town reportedly interested, while Leicester City were also linked earlier in the summer.

Head coach Michael Carrick was tight-lipped when quizzed on Giles this week but didn't rule out a return for the left-back.

He said: "Who knows, who knows. As I've said, we're trying to add to the squad.

"In certain positions we're trying more than others. It's never as simple as that. We obviously have players we're trying to get, we'll see how we get on."

Giles joined Boro on a season-long loan 12 months ago and although he quickly established himself in the side, it was after Carrick's appointment in October that he really flourished, finishing the season joint-top of the Championship assists chart.

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Strengthening at left-back is a priority for Boro in the remaining weeks of the summer window. Marc Bola's exit earlier this month has left Hayden Coulson as the only senior left-back on the club's books, but the 25-year-old has impressed Carrick in pre-season.

At the start of the year, Coulson looked destined to leave Boro this summer but he was then handed a new deal and returned from his loan spell with Aberdeen with an opportunity to stake his claim.

And he did his chances no harm with an impressive display in the midweek win at Rotherham United.

"He's done well," said Carrick of Coulson.

"He's obviously got strengths. We know what he's good at and he has a fair bit of experience now, Hayden.

"He has to see himself as a senior player now. He has attributes, obviously. He's quick, he's got a good left foot, he can handle a ball.

"He missed a few days at the start because he had a bit of a niggle. It's just the time of the year, you have to manage players. I thought he did well (against Rotherham). Him and Sammy linked up really well, played inside, played outside and he looked like he enjoyed himself. I'm pleased to have him."