SO, we know Middlesbrough's back four are sound.

And Massimo Maccarone, all £8.15m of him, will bring a cutting edge to their strikeforce.

Now, if only Steve McClaren could sign an entire midfield, Boro could approach the new season with confidence...

Actually, that is perhaps a touch unfair, but even the most hardened Middlesbrough fan must be dreading the likes of Keane and Vieira locking horns with their powder-puff midfield.

Paul Ince and Robbie Mustoe, the heartbeat of Boro's renaissance under McClaren, have both gone. Juninho isn't coming back and Middlesbrough are refusing to stump up £7m for George Boateng, an Ince clone.

Isn't it always the way at Boro, through whose doors have passed enough quality players to build three top-class teams in recent years?

Just when they seem to be on the verge of shedding their mediocre tag, of moving up to the next level, something goes wrong that puts them back where they started.

They made big strides under McClaren last season but who's going to put their foot in this season? Who's going to provide the creative spark, the incisive pass or deft flick that will unlock Premiership defences?

With Carlos Marinelli yet to live up to his potential and reputation, it's inspiration that Boro need as much as perspiration.

The Middlesbrough manager could always switch his attention back to Muzzy Izzet, but surely that on-off deal won't be resurrected again.

Paris St Germain's Edouard Cisse is also on McClaren's shortlist as he looks to fill the gaping holes in his midfield.

But it will take more than one player to cover for Ince and Mustoe, plus Juninho's snub.

As Boro paraded Maccarone last Monday, chief executive Keith Lamb vowed his club would make more signings before the start of the season, but that is suddenly looking more and more like an empty promise.

After battling for a larger transfer war chest, McClaren is struggling to find players willing to come to Middlesbrough.

The capture of Maccarone, from under the noses of a welter of admirers, is a genuine coup.

Gareth Southgate and Ugo Ehiogu, with Mark Schwarzer behind them, form the basis of a strong spine. But where a competent, combative midfield once existed, now there is a huge vacuum.

McClaren may have a trick or two up his sleeve, and he has enough cash at his disposal for two top-quality midfielders. But Boro need reinforcements. And fast.

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