MIDDLESBROUGH last night solved their left-back dilemma by signing Alan Wright on a one-year contract, writes Steven Baker.

Wright, who was a free agent after being released by Aston Villa at the end of last season, agreed to join Boro after impressing during a brief trial.

The 31-year-old will fill the gap left by Franck Queudrue's five-match suspension from the start of the Premiership season.

David Murphy, who could have deputised for Queudrue, is out with a broken foot - leaving Steve McClaren short of left-sided defensive options.

Colin Cooper can play there, but Wright is a specialist left-back and has vast experience of playing alongside Middlesbrough's fellow Villa old boys Gareth Southgate and Ugo Ehiogu.

After a frustrating summer in the transfer market, Wright was Boro's second signing after Doriva agreed to stay on Teesside.

Middlesbrough were yesterday said to have missed out on Italian midfielder Luigi Di Biagio.

As McClaren strives to strengthen his midfield after missing out on Geremi, David Dunn, Trevor Sinclair, Brett Emerton and Flavio Conceicao, the Boro manager was linked with a move for 32-year-old Di Biagio.

But the Internazionale player, who could leave the club on a free transfer, is expected to agree to join Brescia.

McClaren watched Inter play Ajax at the Amsterdam Arena on Sunday night, with Greece winger Giorgios Karagounis believed to be among his list of targets.

Karagounis has only just joined Inter from Panathinaikos, but he might be allowed to spend a season away from the San Siro on loan.

McClaren also remains interested in Stephane Dalmat, who did not play for Inter on Sunday.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.