Yorke was threat to Boro pay structure

McClaren, who has spent a couple of days this week on a European scouting mission, has had to start afresh after his top two targets turned down Boro's advances.

First Boro were gazumped in the race to sign Uruguayan Diego Forlan by Manchetser United, then Yorke refused to budge on his reported £60,000 a week wage demands.

McClaren, thought to have spent his trip in Holland or France, insists that he will not panic buy to help his battle against relegation.

"We are endeavouring to do what we have been trying to do since the start of the season - strengthen," said McClaren, who has again been linked with Brazilian Washington.

"That's what you have got to do as part of a football club. Scouting missions and identification of players is always on-going and we hope to find someone who can improve our squad.

"It's very difficult with the availability of players to get the right one. I identified two in Yorke and Forlan but unfortunately they have fallen through.

"We said we would not panic and that still applies. We don't want to expose our scouting system but there are numerous players that we are looking at and we will follow those up."

Since taking over the reins in June, McClaren has trimmed his playing staff considerably and the former Old Trafford No 2 is still looking to make changes.

But he admitted that Boro now have a wage structure which he wants to stick to after being held to ransom by Yorke.

"I was disappointed not to get Yorke because two weeks ago I felt he was going to be a great acquisition," he said.

"It would have been in the same mould as the signing of Gareth Southgate at the beginning of the season.

"But we could not reach an agreement with the player and his agent, which is unfortunate but we are trying to set new policies.

"We have now got a wage structure we are hoping to adhere to, and making sure that we do not put the club in financial trouble in the long term.

"We have got policies and we gave Dwight what we thought was a very good offer and he's turned it down - that's football.

"Part of the remit when I came in was to plan for the future and to do that you have to make sure the club is financially secure."

The door has been left open for 30-year-old Yorke to reconsider the offer handed to him, but McClaren is not worrying too much.

"I honestly don't know whether he will change his mind but as far as I'm concerned it's finished with. We are now looking around."

Boro keeper Marlon Beresford has joined former club Burnley on a month's loan.

Beresford spent almost six years at Turf Moor before his move to Boro in 1998 and was a firm favourite with the fans, making close to 300 appearances.

But the 32-year-old has found opportunities few and far between in his time on Teesside, playing just 11 games and being loaned out to Sheffield Wednesday and Wolves.

''It's good to be back. I am out of contract at Middlesbrough in the summer and I'm looking to get away and play some football, so I can hopefully make an impression and put myself in the shop window,'' said Beresford.

l Boro will hold a minute's silence at the Riverside on Sunday in memory of Finlay Cooper, son of Boro defender Colin, who tragically died last weekend.

Boro have slashed ticket prices for their FA Cup fifth round clash with Blackburn in a bid to fill the Riverside.

After only 17,624 people turned up to watch Boro stun Manchester United with a 2-0 win in the last round, prices for season ticket holders have been cut to a maximum of £22 for adults and £15 for concessions, with the majority even cheaper.

Remaining tickets, which will go on general sale on February 11, will range from £16.50 to £25 for adults and £10 to £16.50 for concessions.

''These prices have been set in view of the disappointing attendance for our fourth round win over Manchester United and the feedback we have received from supporters about the price of tickets for that tie,'' said club spokesman Dave Allan

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