MIDDLESBROUGH are working frantically behind-the-scenes to grant Garry Monk’s wish of having new players with him in Portugal next week.

The Boro squad is set to fly out to the Algarve on Sunday and there has been no new arrivals so far for Monk to get excited about.

But the Middlesbrough manager is hopeful things can be done soon, with Norwich midfielder Jonny Howson likely to be the first through the door in a £5m deal.

Howson has indicated a willingness to move to the Riverside Stadium after turning down a new contract at Carrow Road and a deal can be pushed through quickly once the two clubs have agreed the terms of the deal.

But Monk is being kept informed on the other fronts too, knowing that having 29-year-old Howson in his team next season is on the cards.

The former Leeds boss has turned his attention to Derby County full-back Cyrus Christie after learning Chris Gunter has opted to sign a new three-year deal at Reading.

Middlesbrough had triggered a £1m release clause in the player’s contract but it seems the Welshman has used the situation to his advantage to pen new terms at the Madejski Stadium.

Now Christie, who has been linked regularly with Middlesbrough this summer, is being targeted once again as Monk looks to improve his right-back options, particularly as Antonio Barragan’s season long loan to Real Betis will be confirmed this morning.

Two other key areas Monk is looking to strengthen are up front and in goal. Nottingham Forest have rejected a bid of £8m from Burnley for striker Britt Assombolonga, so Middlesbrough know they will have to pay significantly more than that to land their man.

The 24-year-old is the striker Monk is most keen on and Forest are believed to be demanding nearer the £15m mark for a powerful front-man who has worked hard to overcome 14 months of injury frustrations.

In goal Leeds United’s interest in other goalkeepers has heightened the chances of former England goalkeeper Rob Green moving to Teesside, although there is also still admiration for Sheffield Wednesday’s Keiren Westwood.

Monk has been encouraged by the approach of his players in the first week of pre-season training and by Ben Gibson’s willingness to return early after England duty.

The 24-year-old was not due back until Friday but returned on Monday despite ongoing suggestions that he could be leaving this summer.

Everton’s purchase of Michael Keane has led to Tottenham being strongly linked again with Gibson, who is in no rush to leave and his uncle, the chairman Steve Gibson, is keen to keep hold of him by valuing him around the £30m mark.

Cristhian Stuani and Marten de Roon are also due to start their pre-season training programme tomorrow, while Adlene Guedioura and Carlos de Pena are not due to be around until next week.

  • Middlesbrough, meanwhile, has achieved the Preliminary Level of the Premier League Equality Standard.

The club was assessed by an independent panel who “commended the club-wide commitment to equality and was also struck by the synergy between the work of the club, Academy, and Foundation.” Panel members also praised the club for its work with asylum seekers and refugees.

Garth Crooks, chairman of the Premier League Equality Standard, said: “The panel recognise Middlesbrough’s long-term commitment to equality and encourage the club to build on the momentum it has developed.”