MIDDLESBROUGH manager Steve McClaren has suffered another setback in his player search after Alan Wright performed a dramatic U-turn to pull out of a trial and link up with Rangers instead.

The former Aston Villa and Blackburn left-back yesterday revealed that he was driving to Teesside when his agent phoned to inform him that the Scottish treble winners wanted him to join them on their pre-season tour of Germany.

With Franck Queudrue banned for the first five games of the new season and David Murphy set for a two-month spell on the sidelines after breaking a bone in a foot, McClaren is anxious to bring in cover at left-back.

Boro have been linked with Sunderland skipper Michael Gray, who is available for a cut-price £1m fee.

But 31-year-old Wright is a free agent after leaving Villa this summer and McClaren was keen to take a look at the former England-Under 21 international.

Wright, now hoping to win a contract at Ibrox, said: "It was a call out of the blue from my agent. He phoned me as I was on my way up to Middlesbrough and told me to turn the car round and go home. That's what I did.

"Now I'm training with the Rangers squad in Germany. You don't turn down the chance to join a club like Rangers. I will just work hard in training.''

Sunderland defender Emerson Thome is also on trial with Rangers.

McClaren has been repeatedly frustrated in the transfer market this summer, having missed out on midfield targets Geremi, David Dunn and Brett Emerton and witnessed his move for winger Trevor Sinclair hit a snag.

The Boro boss was also knocked back when he enquired about Fulham midfielder Sean Davis, who is wanted by Everton.

While strengthening his midfield is a priority, McClaren has seen his defence ravaged by injuries and suspension before a ball is kicked.

The left-back position is a particular concern and unless McClaren makes a breakthrough, Colin Cooper is likely to fill the role at the start of the season; the 36-year-old former England defender is close to agreeing a new one-year deal.

McClaren confided: "Murphy has been very unlucky again after being injured in the first game of last season, and Queudrue is suspended for five matches, so left-back is an area where we're looking to strengthen.''

Centre-back Ugo Ehiogu, Boro's biggest injury worry, flew to the United States yesterday for knee surgery to repair a ruptured posterior cruciate ligament.

The England international is in the hands of Dr James Andrews, who operated on Juninho early last season after the Brazilian suffered a torn anterior cruciate.

Ehiogu will go under the knife tomorrow at Dr Andrews' Birmingham, Alabama clinic, and is expected to be out of action for at least six months.

Ehiogu said: "The manager signed Chris Riggott in January and Colin Cooper can also come in and do a good job, as he proved last season.''

McClaren could also promote Stockton-born teenager Andrew Davies, who broke into the first team last term when he starred in the side that reached the FA Youth Cup final.

But McClaren is still confident of having new faces in his squad before the season kicks off.

Boro's only home warm-up game is against Verona-based Chievo on Saturday, August 9 (4.00).

McClaren said: "It's our final pre-season game and I'll be looking to put out a strong side.

"It's likely we will have one or two new signings in the line-up that day, so I hope the fans will turn out in force to see us play high-quality opposition.''

Tickets, priced £10 for adults and £5 for OAPs and juniors, are on sale from Monday.

Boro spokesman Dave Allan said: "On this occasion, we cannot reserve specific seats for season ticket holders as tickets will be sold from the centre of each stand.''

l Former Boro centre-back Tony Vidmar, released at the end of last season, is in talks with ex-Teessiders boss Lennie Lawrence at Cardiff.