WITH Middlesbrough’s Premier League future on the line, chairman Steve Gibson has given Gareth Southgate the go-ahead to spend £2m on Crystal Palace midfielder Ben Watson.

After weeks of insisting that Boro would have no cash available during the transfer window, Gibson has finally agreed to meet the valuation of the former England Under- 21 international.

Middlesbrough refused to confirm the deal last night, but Watson is expected on Teesside to discuss personal terms in the hope that a quick agreement can be reached before the player undergoes a medical.

While the fee is hardly record-breaking, it is still a sizeable amount considering Middlesbrough’s message that there was no cash available this month.

“The chairman, Simon Jordan, spoke to Steve Gibson and they have agreed a £2m fee,” revealed Palace manager Neil Warnock yesterday.

There remains a chance that Gary O’Neil could be sold before the end of the month, but with options so limited at the Riverside, there would seem little sense in replacing one midfielder with another.

If Middlesbrough can finalise the deal, Watson would add another option to the middle of midfield, particularly as Didier Digard is to start a three-match ban.

The 23-year-old – who would not be cup-tied after missing Palace’s third round tie with Leicester – has attracted attention from various Premier League clubs, but none have been willing to meet the valuation until now.

While Watson is out of contract in the summer, Middlesbrough would still have had to pay a fee decided by a tribunal as he is under 24 and a product of the Palace Academy system. It has also been claimed that offers from Nottingham Forest and QPR were rejected after learning of interest in him from Premier League clubs.

Fulham, Everton and Portsmouth are among those to have sent scouts to watch him regularly, but Gibson’s willingness to hand Southgate the £2m – with add-ons depending on appearances – has paved the way for a move to Teesside.

He is viewed predominantly as a holding midfielder, although the five goals he has scored from that position in the Championship this season highlights he is capable of finding the net.

If Watson does agree terms with Middlesbrough, he would have to pass a medical despite struggling with a groin problem since early last month.

The twice-capped Under-21 international has not played since December 8 and Warnock had been hoping to use him within the next ten days.

Last weekend’s defeat at West Brom illustrated Boro’s need for reinforcements and the likelihood is that Watson would walk straight into the team.

Southgate, meanwhile, will allow striker Tom Craddock to head out on loan again this month, although Luton fear they will lose out.

Craddock was a huge hit at Kenilworth Road after scoring four goals in eight league matches for the Hatters before returning from his loan.

Having outlined a desire to sign the Darlington-born striker on loan until the end of the season with a view to a permanent arrangement, Luton face competition for his services.

Huddersfield Town, managed by former Newcastle midfielder Lee Clark, have turned their attention to the 22-year-old after being knocked back in their pursuit of Carlisle’s former Boro man Danny Graham.

■ Boro Pride members can book East Stand seats for the clashes with Blackburn on January 31 and Wigan on February 21 for a combined price of £30 (a saving of £28).

Members aged over-65 can book their seats for both games for just £20 (normally £17 each game), 18-21s can watch both from the South West corner for a combined £20, while the price for members aged under-18 is only £15.

A Red Alert Family Ticket is also available for Boro Pride members, enabling an adult and an under-18 to attend both the Blackburn and Wigan games for a combined price of £40.