GARETH SOUTHGATE will make a formal approach for James Harper within the next 48 hours after Reading indicated a willingness to sell the midfielder.

Having missed out on Ben Watson when the England Under-21 international joined Wigan on Monday, Southgate is keen to bolster his midfield before the transfer window closes in five days.

His focus for the last 24 hours has been on this evening’s game at Chelsea, but when he returns to the North-East he will step up his pursuit of Harper.

Southgate came close to signing the 28-year-old in the summer, only for Reading to pull the plug on the deal after they sanctioned the departures of Dave Kitson and Nicky Shorey.

But six months in the Championship have taken their toll on the Royals’ finances, and sources claim Reading officials have now expressed a willingness to sell.

The midfielder will be allowed to leave the Madejski Stadium for £4m, and while money at the Riverside remains tight, a staggered deal with a proportion of the fee being paid in installments may be possible.

Boro’s long-standing interest in Harper would have gone no further had Ben Watson not signed a 3½-year contract at Wigan this week.

The Londoner underwent a medical at Boro’s Rockliffe Park training ground last Friday, but talks collapsed when the Teessiders refused to meet the midfielder’s £25,000-aweek wage demands.

Having come so close to completing a deal, Southgate admits to being bitterly disappointed at this week’s events, but the Boro boss harbours no resentment over the conduct of either Watson or Wigan.

“We were disappointed, but we’ve moved on,” he said.

“The hard thing is that you put in months of groundwork when you’re trying to sign a player. I was in contact with Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock months ago to declare an interest and check on the availability.

“We did everything we could, but you have to accept that not every deal is going to come off. We did everything we could to try to get it done.

“In the end, the player has a decision, and I would think current league position would have played a part in that. Ben had also worked with (Wigan boss) Steve Bruce before, and maybe that played a part as well. We wish him luck. He’s a smashing kid and I think he has a chance of progressing.”

While Watson slipped through the net, Southgate was able to complete the capture of Wigan striker Marlon King on loan to the end of the season.

King was part of the Boro squad that travelled to London last night – he is likely to start on the bench at Stamford Bridge – and Southgate expects him to play a key role in the Teessiders’ survival bid.

“He’s come with a point to prove, and it’s great when you get players with that attitude,”

said the Boro boss. “We need leaders throughout the team, and he’s someone who’s going to be vocal on the field.

“He has a presence about him and a good work ethic. He also has the talent to score goals at this level, as he’s proved this season with Hull.”

Meanwhile, Mido has suggested his relationship with Southgate was the cause of his move.

“I needed to be somewhere where I could get more football,”

said Mido.

“I needed to work with a manager who has more belief in me and I think Steve (Bruce) does that.”

Boro probable line-up (4-5-1): Turnbull, Bates, Riggott, Wheater, Pogatetz, Tuncay, O’Neil, Shawky, Arca, Downing, Alves.

■ Tom Craddock has made a permanent move to League Two strugglers Luton Town, signing a 2½-year contract.