JONNY HOWSON is ready to accept the challenge of getting Middlesbrough back to the Premier League despite learning his former manager wants him at Sunderland.

The Black Cats were ready to do battle with their North-East neighbours for the signature of the Norwich City midfielder, but are under the impression he has his heart set on Teesside.

Such a belief has already proved enough to put off Leeds United, where Howson left in 2012 when Simon Grayson was in charge.

Grayson was aware of the 29-year-old’s availability, but Howson is believed to be more interested in playing for Middlesbrough next season.

That is certainly the belief around the Riverside, where Garry Monk is trying to make a couple of additions to his squad before they fly out to Portugal for a training camp on Sunday.

Monk has been putting the players through their paces this week at Rockliffe Park and is being regularly kept informed about progress on the recruitment front.

Ideally he would like to have a couple of new faces on board the plane to the Algarve, with Howson and Reading’s Chris Gunter two of the most likely. Neither, though, have been described as ‘imminent’ deals at this stage.

Norwich are looking for around the £5m mark for Howson, who has rejected the chance to sign a new contract after entering the final year of his deal.

The Canaries, who are making changes themselves under new manager Daniel Farke, are looking to raise some money to boost their own spending and Howson represents good business at this stage of his career and contract.

The player is understood to be keen to return closer to his West Yorkshire roots and a switch to Middlesbrough will allow him to do that.

While Sunderland are set to miss out and are forced to focus on alternatives, Monk will be satisfied with an addition to his midfield options – particularly with continued uncertainty surrounding the future of Marten de Roon.

Monk also wants improvements in other areas, particularly up front where Nottingham Forest’s Britt Assombolonga is his preferred target. Forest are keen to keep him but have previously admitted there would be a price where they may have to sell.

A deal for the former Peterborough man is not as far on as the one for Howson, with Middlesbrough confident after further advanced talks between the Riverside and Carrow Road.

Monk would hope to have Howson and Reading full-back Chris Gunter with him in Portugal. The right-back has the level of Championship experience Middlesbrough are looking for ahead of the new campaign.

There are unconfirmed suggestions, too, that Gunter has a £1m release clause in his contract which enables it to be a lot easier for Middlesbrough to strike a reasonable deal. Sources close to Reading suggest that has been triggered, and the decision rests with the player.

Middlesbrough are short of full-backs after the departure of Antonio Barragan to Real Betis. There is also ongoing interest from Watford, Burnley and West Brom in left-back George Friend.

Gunter, 27, is from Newport and is aware that Swansea are keen on him. He also, though, wants to play regularly and moving to Middlesbrough rather than the Premier League might provide him with a greater chance of that, even if it is closer to his home.

Middlesbrough’s Under-23s, meanwhile, will play Hartlepool United on Friday, July 28 at 7.30pm. The friendly had originally been scheduled for the following day.