Boro end Colosimo interest

Manager Bryan Robson made the decision after watching the 21-year-old centre-back play in a private match against Newcastle.

Boro lost 2-0, with Alan Shearer scoring both goals - a double strike that ended Colosimo's hopes of moving to Teesside.

Boro claimed last night that no final verdict would be made until today but Colosimo's agent, George Christopoulos, confirmed the deal was dead.

"He will not be joining Middlesbrough but we have got other options," he said. "We're hoping he will be back in the Australia team and that will give other clubs a chance to look at him."

Colosimo, a member of Australia's Olympic side where he was watched by Boro scouts, has been on trial at the Riverside for two weeks.

But Robson decided against the move after watching him in match action for the first time.

The Boro boss is still waiting for a response from Parma's Dino Baggio after opening talks in Italy last week.

He is ready to pay £5m for the World Cup midfielder who is also wanted by several Italian clubs.

Boro have also inquired about AC Milan midfielder Zvonimir Boban. But the Serie A club yesterday insisted the 32-year-old Croatian, also a target for Chelsea, is not available.

Boro are 'hopeful' that striker Alen Boksic will recover from knee ligament damage in time for the match at Ipswich on Saturday.

The Croatian, who missed the game at Charlton last Saturday, is receiving treatment but is in training.

l Colin Todd has agreed to join Derby as Jim Smith's assistant manager after his current club Swindon gave the Rams permission to speak to him.

Swindon are now in talks over compensation for 51-year-old former Middlesbrough boss, who has managed the Second Division strugglers for less than a year.

A statement from Derby, who see him taking over from Smith, said: ''Swindon Town have given Derby County permission to speak to Colin Todd and, after discussing personal terms, he has agreed to join the club as Jim Smith's assistant manager."