HAVING initially being cool on the idea of accepting an offer from Real Madrid to sign Thomas Gravesen, Middlesbrough have warmed to the idea and are attempting to scupper his proposed move to Newcastle.

Talks between the Magpies and the Danish midfielder have stepped up this week and there is hope on Tyneside he could move there early next week.

But Middlesbrough, who have also been sounded out about the player, are considering a late bid to acquire his services having failed with attempts to bolster midfield ranks with either Steed Malbranque or Joey Barton.

Reading's Steve Sidwell interests Southgate but Gravesen has suddenly leapt to the top of Boro's wanted list and they are on the verge of making a £2m bid.

The midfielder's future has been clouded in doubt this summer and his training ground bust-up with Robinho last week only acted as further proof that things are not well for him in Spain.

There are a number of Premiership clubs interested but, with Everton out of the running because of his wage demands, it would seem it is a straight battle between the North-East clubs.

Southgate is thought to have been initially cool on signing the 30-year-old but is starting to welcome the prospect of having him in his squad after talks with chairman Steve Gibson and chief executive Keith Lamb.

Time is running out for Boro in the attempts to strengthen their squad before the start of the campaign a week tomorrow at Reading.

Only Julio Arca has arrived so far with a real chance of playing in Southgate's starting line-up and the chances of Middlesbrough signing right-back Pascal Chimbonda appear to be receding.

Wigan have dropped their asking price from over £6m in recent days but they are still looking for just under £5m. Boro do not want to pay £4.5m for the Frenchman so, unless there is encouraging negotiations in the coming days, that deal will be off.

Southgate's failure to add to his squad in a big way this summer is the reason why he is determined to hold onto his playing staff and Aiyegbeni Yakubu will not be sold back to Portsmouth.

And Pompey are also expected to be knocked back when they return to the Riverside Stadium with a bid for Mark Viduka - the striker they are understood to have turned to after missing out on the Nigerian.

Meanwhile, Andrew Taylor has been called up to the England Under-21.

Taylor, whose rise onto the Premiership and European stages last season caught the eye of many, will now hope to play agianst Moldova on August 15 in a European Championships qualifier at Portman Road.

He joins Sunderland's Ben Alnwick and Newcastle United pair Steven Taylor and James Milner in the squad.

Jonathan Franks and Nathan Porritt have also been named in the England Under-17s squad for a friendly tournament between August 26 to September 3.

* Boro fans heading to tomorrow's game with Chievo have been urged to buy their tickets in advance.

Tickets are priced £10 for adults and £5 for concessions for Colin Cooper's Benefit Match at the Riverside Stadium. Supporters have also been warned that the car park will only be open to permit holders.

All profits from the game will go towards the Finlay Cooper Fund - and other selected charities - in memory of the two-year-old son Cooper lost in a domestic accident in January 2002.