MIDDLESBROUGH are ready to call Liverpool's bluff over Christian Ziege - by demanding Robbie Fowler in part exchange.

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier is preparing to test Boro's resolve to hold on to Ziege by lodging a £5m bid for the German international.

But Boro manager Bryan Robson, who has denied claims that the versatile Ziege has a clause in his contract allowing him to go if a £5m offer is received, will tell Houllier his only hope of a deal is to sacrifice England striker Fowler.

Given any encouragement, Boro would offer a massive cash adjustment - possibly as much as £10m.

But Houllier has already stated that none of his strikers is for sale and believes a fit-again Fowler, who missed much of last season through injury, can spearhead an assault on the Premiership title.

Robson was yesterday busy solving his goalkeeping problem by landing Nottingham Forest's Mark Crossley on a Bosman free transfer.

The 31-year-old Welsh international passed a medical before signing a two-year contract.

Boro needed urgent cover for Mark Schwarzer and Marlon Beresford following Ben Roberts' Bosman free move to Charlton.

Robson said: "Signing Mark Crossley on a free transfer is a great deal for the club. He's got vast experience of Premiership football and he's always done a very steady job for Forest.''

Barnsley-born Crossley made over 300 appearances for Forest and Robson stressed: "As a keeper he should be at the peak of his career at his age. He'll obviously compete with Marlon Beresford for Mark Schwarzer's first-team jersey.

"Schwarzer is our No 1, but Marlon has a slight back problem so it was important we brought in another keeper.''

l HOMESICK Lee Clark is waiting for the call from Boro to end his North-East exile.

The former Newcastle United and Sunderland midfielder is desperate to quit First Division Fulham and return to his roots.

Geordie Clark, who joined the London club in a £3m move from Sunderland last summer, would jump at the chance to link up with Boro following the exit of his old hero, Paul Gascoigne.

But Robson, having snapped up midfielders Christian Karembeu and Paul Okon, has other priorities in the shape of a striker and a defender.

Cameroon front-runner Joseph-Desire Job is on trial with a view to a £3m move from French side Lens.

And Aston Villa's unsettled defender Ugo Ehiogu, subject of a £5m bid by Sunderland boss Peter Reid, has also expressed an interest in joining Boro.

Over 25,000 Riverside fans have renewed their season tickets and Robson has told them more new signings are in the pipeline.

"It's going to be a very busy week for me as far as trying to bring in new players is concerned,'' said Robson.

Gascoigne signed for Everton on a two-year deal after being handed a free transfer, and Boro stalwart Robbie Mustoe yesterday admitted: "I'm sorry to see him go - he's the best I've played with.''

Everton boss Walter Smith, Gascoigne's manager and mentor in his days with Rangers, has thrown the wayward star a lifeline.

And Mustoe, Gazza's midfield 'minder' in the Geordie's early days on Teesside, is backing him to revive his Premiership career.

"I think Gazza can still do it at the highest level,'' insisted Mustoe, who is in his testimonial year with Boro.

"He's looked quite good in pre-season training and he's certainly still got the vision and natural ability.

"Some of the things he did on the training pitch were the best I've ever seen.

"On his day, when he was up for it, I couldn't get anywhere near him. It was great being on the same pitch as Gazza.

"I hear it said he can't go past people like he used to because of a lack of pace, but he can do it with his ability.

"I think he's got a manager who knows him very well and I hope Gazza does well. I won't be looking forward to playing against him in the new season, if he's on his game.''

Meanwhile, Boro are looking to extend Job's trial after being frustrated in attempts to gain clearance for the 22-year-old to play in Friday's North Riding Senior Cup semi-final at Scarborough.

They now hope Job will be free to face Aberdeen in Jim Leighton's testimonial at Pittodrie next Tuesday.

l BORO'S Italian defender Gianluca Festa is facing a battle to be fit for the start of the season.

Festa has a six-inch scar at the top of his left leg after undergoing surgery in his homeland a fortnight ago in a bid to cure recurring hamstring problems.

Robson said: "Gianluca has come back into rehabilitation training and will probably be ready to play in about four weeks.

"But he comes back quicker than most from injuries, so we're keeping our fingers crossed he'll be ready for the start of the season.''