FRESH from re-shaping Middlesbrough's coaching staff, busy manager Steve McClaren is expected to swoop for a new midfielder this week.

After missing out in the race to sign Geremi from Real Madrid - a multi-million pound move to Chelsea looks to be on the cards after a fee was agreed - Boro have turned their attentions to another player at the Bernabeu.

Brazilian international Flavio Conceicao is the latest player to have been tracked by McClaren, who is looking to add two new midfielders to his squad ahead of the big Premiership kick-off in August.

Flavio would not come cheap, as Real president Jorge Valdano is keen to recoup some of the £25m fee paid for David Beckham earlier this month.

Valdano values the player at £7m and McClaren is hoping to agree a season long loan deal for the player - similar to that which Geremi enjoyed at the Riverside Stadium last season.

Litos, Flavio's agent, claims the player will be keen to join Boro and team up with fellow countryman Juninho on Teesside.

"In the coming week, Middlesbrough will send a representative to talk to us so that Flavio can come to England for one year," said Litos. "Flavio would accept so long as some conditions are met."

The move for Flavio comes at the same time as McClaren announced he was shaking up his backroom staff.

The Boro boss has become the first manager in England to have specialised coaches working with each department of the side.

McClaren said: "Steve Round (former reserve team boss) will look after the forwards and I don't just mean giving them finishing practice but also working on things outside the box.

"Steve Harrison will be in charge of the defence and I will be in overall charge of planning tactics and the way we play."

Round's switch means ex-Academy coach Mark Proctor will now take charge of second team affairs. Physio Grant Downie has moved from Rangers and replaces Bob Ward.

* A young Newcastle United side were held to a 1-1 draw at Scottish First Division side Queen of the South.

Striker Guy Bates gave United the lead but the Scots equalised before half-time.

* Fulham kicked off their pre-season preparations with a 4-1 thumping of Third Division Torquay at Plainmoor.

Manager Chris Coleman fielded several first-team regulars, including the likes of Edwin van der Sar, Sylvain Legwinski and Steed Malbranque and their class told.

Striker Louis Saha warmed up for the new Premiership season with two goals on the south coast while Facundo Sava and young winger Malik Buari also got on the scoresheet.