MIDDLESBROUGH'S chances of signing Peter Lovenkrands were give a boost last night when the player's agent insisted the Rangers winger wants to sign for the club.

The Denmark international was told earlier this summer by manager Alex McLeish that he was surplus to requirements after five years at Ibrox and was free to find another club.

Boro boss Steve McClaren, who has been looking to add another winger to his squad since the end of the season, was alerted to Lovenkrands' availability when he snubbed chances to join both Premiership rivals Portsmouth and Portuguese giants Benfica earlier this month.

Lovenkrands was still in talks with McClaren last night over his potential move to the Riverside, but the player's agent Ivan Marko Benes, believes these discussions are nothing more than a formality.

He said: "Middlesbrough is a big club with many stars. Peter has always said that he would like to join a bigger league than the Scottish (League)."

The 25-year-old was a £1.5m signing from AB Copenhagen when he joined the Glasgow club in the summer of 2000, but with only one year left on his current contract it is believed Boro could land their man if they offer McLeish £400,000.

With Bolo Zenden flying the Boro nest to join Champions League winners Liverpool, McClaren was keen add to his squad to put pressure on England starlet Stewart Downing and fit again Gaizka Mendieta.

The Boro boss believes Lovenkrands, who can play on either flank or through the middle, will be perfect to provide back up as he leads the club on their second sortee into Europe and the UEFA Cup this season.

Meanwhile, Downing scored in his first competitive match since injuring his knee while on England duty in a comfortable 4-1 victory over Carlisle at Brunton Park last night, Slovakian striker Szilard Nemeth helping himself to a brace.

Boro got their first in the 27th minute against the League Two new boys as Nemeth won possession in Carlisle's own half, advanced on goal and gave Anthony Williams no chance with his lob.

Williams then denied Nemeth in a one-on-one two minutes later but the striker did add the Teessiders' second a minute before the break when he beat the offside trap and volleyed past Williams.

Carlisle looked to have set up a close-fought final ten minutes as Derek Holmes headed in Brendan McGill's cross.

However, two more late goals for McClaren's side gave the scoreline a flattering look as Tom Craddock converted a penalty and Downing added Boro's fourth, taking advantage of space on the left to beat Williams, who got hands to the shot but could not keep it out.

Meanwhile, James Morrison put in a man of the match performance for England Under-19s in the UEFA European Championships.

England beat Serbia and Montenegro 3-1 with three Boro players used and another on the bench to seal a place in the final against France.

Andrew Taylor and Tony McMahon also played, while David Wheater watched from the bench.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.