NOEL WHELAN is in talks with Millwall over a possible one-year loan deal.

The Middlesbrough forward, a Bryan Robson recruit from Coventry for £2m three years ago, has been hampered by injuries and has failed to establish himself under Steve McClaren.

"Noel has gone down to Millwall to speak to them about a loan and maybe a full year there,'' said the Boro manager.

"He needs to be involved at first-team level week-in, week-out. He had a loan spell with Crystal Palace last season and did very well.

"If the Millwall deal goes through, he will do a very good job for them. If not, he's still got a future here and he's still part of the squad.''

McClaren, who has off-loaded midfielder Luke Wilkshire to Bristol City in a £250,000 deal, will today complete the signing of former Aston Villa left-back Alan Wright on a one-year agreement.

Wright, 31, has been on trial after his hopes of a move to Rangers collapsed. McClaren said: "We're ready to tie things up with Alan.

"He's shown his experience, which is vitally important to us. After losing Ugo Ehiogu and David Murphy to injuries, we're a bit thin at the back.''

McClaren, who has missed out on a string of transfer targets this summer, still wants to bring in two new signings before the start of the Premiership season.

"Hopefully, there'll be more new faces coming in - we're certainly working towards that," said McClaren, whose only signing apart from Wright has been Brazilian midfielder Doriva on a free transfer from Celta Vigo.

Boro were understood to be interested in Auxerre's Senegal midfielder Amdy Faye, who has now joined Portsmouth.

Meanwhile, Juninho was again inspirational for Boro in Saturday's 3-2 win at Sheffield United.

The Brazilian conjured a delightful free-kick to open the scoring, and McClaren said: "He's been sharp, but I thought that was the best he's looked so far this pre-season.''

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