MIDDLESBROUGH'S chief negotiators in the club's search for a new manager arrived back in the North-East last night and immediately put plans in place to step up talks with Terry Venables over the weekend.

After a sojourn to Singapore, chairman Steve Gibson and chief executive Keith Lamb are back in Britain and focused on securing the services of the new boss.

Venables has confirmed he has had contact with the Boro hierarchy about the possibility of succeeding Steve McClaren at the Riverside Stadium but refused to divulge what will happen next.

It is widely expected the former England coach will hold further talks with Gibson or Lamb at some stage either today or tomorrow and that an outcome will be reached by the middle of next week.

It is by no means certain Venables will become the next Middlesbrough manager but it is looking increasingly likely.

The England factor - he is also keen on working with the Football Association in an advisory role when McClaren takes over - will still make up an important part of the talks.

But Venables, who has told those close to him he is 'extremely excited' by the prospect of returning to Premiership management, is keen to see a favourable agreement reached.

And the 63-year-old, though cautious as ever, has admitted there have been discussions about the vacant post on Teesside, where he worked alongside Bryan Robson for six months in the 2000-01 campaign.

"There was a little activity but it has not got any further than that," said Venables. "It's one of those things that you never say no because things can come up and you just leave the door open a little.

"If something comes along I would be happy and if it doesn't I'll still be happy because I'm very happy the way things are going at the moment."

Lamb and Gibson returned from a seven-a-side competition in Singapore last night and the likelihood is that, provided there are no complications to an initial agreement already believed to have been reached, they will meet up with the experienced coach early next week.

There are alternatives in Gibson's mind should the move to bring Venables back to the North-East fail to materialise, but they are aiming to pull out all the stops to land their man.

Paul Jewell, after successfully keeping Wigan in the top-flight last season, has now emerged as the second favourite for the job ahead of Alan Curbishley. Martin O'Neill, the first to have been sounded out about the post, has drifted well out of the running.

One man who would probably jump at the chance to take the helm is Tony Mowbray, a former captain at Boro.

And yesterday he ruled himself out of the running for the Ipswich job following the departure of Joe Royle last week.

Mowbray was reserve team coach at Portman Road before taking his first step into management at Hibernian two years ago. In his first season he secured UEFA Cup football at Easter Road and this year he has been touted for both the Ipswich and Middlesbrough positions.

But he insists he is focusing on continuing the good work he has started along with Hartlepool-born assistant manager Mark Venus.

"Nothing has happened to change my position as manager of Hibernian. A lot has been achieved in my two years here and there is a lot more to do," said Mowbray.

"We have a talented group of players who have the real potential to achieve success for this football club.

"I enjoy helping them develop their talent and our plans are well advanced for next season."

Middlesbrough are hoping their next managerial appointment will have a positive affect on attendances next season, with the average crowd at the Riverside last season being 27, 843 - over 7,000 short of capacity.

And chief executive Lamb has revealed an innovative new season ticket policy that has been designed to capture the hearts and minds of the support of the town's schoolchildren.

"Our aim is to encourage more local youngsters to watch the team on a regular basis," said Lamb.

"We've always enjoyed excellent support from our community but it's a two-way process.

"We have got to ensure we make supporting the club affordable, then we want to make sure they keep coming back."

To do that Middlesbrough have announced season tickets for the under-11s, throughout the entire stadium, are available for £120 until June 17.

Under-18s can also purchase discounted tickets for the entire stadium from £245.

Young season ticket holders will also be able to purchase Riverside cup tie tickets for just £5 throughout the season.

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