MIDDLESBROUGH are looking at younger players in the transfer market to boost Jonathan Woodgate’s squad after the club’s shift towards developing a footballing philosophy.

Boro have a number of players they are keeping an eye on, and some of those have been on the radar for years, while others are fresh names that are under serious consideration.

The level of Middlesbrough’s recruitment is likely to be determined by the number of players who leave, although Woodgate has taken his squad to Austria in the hope of giving everyone a chance this summer.

He will still be in contact with Middlesbrough’s recruitment negotiators Adrian Bevington and Neil Bausor if things develop on the transfer front and there have been players mentioned already.

Southend United’s promising midfielder Dru Yearwood has been watched by Middlesbrough for years and is still someone who interest them.

Yearwood is still at Roots Hall despite Rotherham pushing hard to sign him this summer. The Millers have now decided to take a step back having had an offer of £150,000 rejected for him.

Yearwood impressed in League One last season and played well against Sunderland when Middlesbrough are known to have watched him.

Southend are understood to want more than £200,000. Rotherham boss Paul Warne said recently: “There is interest in him. It is true that we have had a bid turned down. Quelle surprise, they want more money.”

Josh Koroma was another being watched by Middlesbrough but the 20-year-old has now left Leyton Orient to join Huddersfield following their relegation from the Premier League.

But there are other youngsters in the Teesside club’s sights. Liverpool’s £12m-rated Ryan Kent is wanted by a number of Championship clubs, including Middlesbrough and Leeds United, so that would almost certainly be a loan if it can be done.

And Middlesbrough have had a long-standing interest in another Leeds target, Michael Frey. The Swiss striker, 24, is at Fenerbahce and rated at more than £4m.

A new name that has entered the frame over the weekend is Genk winger Mbwana Samatta. The 26-year-old scored 32 goals in 51 appearances last season and is also being tracked by Cardiff.

Middlesbrough will not have any new faces with them this week in Bad Aussee.

Woodgate and his players arrived at their training base on Saturday afternoon and had a light session. They are now having double sessions in preparation for the first friendly under his management against Grazer AK on Friday.

There are 28 players in Austria and that figure includes numerous Under-18s and Under-23s players who Woodgate wants to get integrated into the first team set-up.

“I want the group to become as one,” Woodgate told the club’s website. “We have a lot of young players here and it’s important that they become part of the group.

“We’re also looking at the physical aspect. We’re looking to work on fitness, we had five good days at the training ground, but this is where the really hard work starts.

“There’ll be a tactical element with them as well to show them what we want from them during the season. It will be hard work for them.”

Last summer’s trip to Austria was notoriously hard work, with Tony Pulis demanding fitness work throughout the trip with many of the players describing it has brutal and the hardest they had known.

This week’s trip to Austria will still be demanding but there will be more emphasis on playing – a tone that has been set already at Rockliffe Park.

"It's always good to get a touch of the ball early doors," said striker Ashley Fletcher. "Football fitness is key and if you can get a touch of the ball early doors but do it with the fitness side as well then it's good and more effective.

"I think it will be a little bit different this time (in Austria). But at the same time, the climate is always the same and there's not much air up there so it's tough."