TONY Mowbray likened a fit Kieron Dyer to Spurs' wing wizard Gareth Bale as he mulled over giving the injury prone midfielder a deal.

Dyer could become a Middlesbrough player early next week if talks with the player's advisers go well.

The 34-year-old was released by QPR earlier this month and has been blighted by problems with his fitness.

Speaking after Boro beat Aldershot in the FA Cup, Mowbray said: "There's nothing agreed or signed.

"I've had some conversations with him and his advisers and yet we're fully aware of the injury problems he's suffered over the last few years.

"I would have to say a fit Kieron Dyer, like Jonathan Woodgate, is a top, top quality footballer who has played for some top sides in the Premier League all his career.

"If a few fine details are sorted out, I can see no reason why we wouldn't sign Kieron."

Mowbray knows Dyer from his time at Ipswich, but said any deal would have to be for the good of the club.

"My call would be whether I think he can bring to our team a missing ingredient and improve us," he told the club's website." I've seen the stats from his games for QPR this season and I saw him this year playing up against Gareth Bale and he more than matched him."