Middlesbrough are working hard to push home their interest in French midfielder Didier Digard.

There was no public comment from the club on Wednesday over their pursuit of the 21-year-old Paris St Germain player.

However, £4million-rated Digard has been on Teesside for a medical and to open talks and Boro are optimistic significant progress could be made within the next few days.

They made their move in the knowledge that several other clubs are also monitoring the former Le Havre player's situation, with Newcastle and Portsmouth having also been linked with him.

But Boro are hopeful their early approach has given them a head start as manager Gareth Southgate attempts to bolster his midfield options.

Southgate's main priority this summer is to add to strengthen in that department after allowing Fabio Rochemback and Gaizka Mendieta to leave the Riverside Stadium.

In addition, his is awaiting a decision from former team-mate George Boateng on his future.

The 32-year-old Dutchman still has a year of his contract to run, but was disappointed to find himself not an automatic choice last season.

He has openly admitted he may have to consider leaving the club, although Southgate has made it clear the midfielder has a part to play in his plans.

The manager said: "He's part of our squad here and a very strong part.

"I can't guarantee any player a first-team place. We are trying to create a club where people are pushing for places.

"He may have perceived that he had dropped down the pecking order and found that difficult, but I think he realises what I am trying to do with the squad and the number of games he played speaks volumes."

Southgate is hopeful too of retaining the services of Gary O'Neil, who initially struggled to settle after his £5million move from Portsmouth last summer, sparking rumours he wants to leave.

The former England defender said: "He's said to me he feels more settled and, at this moment in time, I have to go along with that and hope the situation resolves itself over the summer.

"Gary is contracted to us and he is someone we don't want to lose."

Indeed, Southgate is now concentrating on recruitment after clearing the decks for his summer spending plans.

He may not have wanted to lose keeper Mark Schwarzer - the 35-year-old has joined Fulham after the expiry of his Boro contract - but is confident that in Ross Turnbull and Brad Jones, he has adequate cover.

In addition to the Australian, Rochemback and Mendieta, he has also seen Dong-Gook Lee and Jason Kennedy head out of the exit door, and has no immediate plans to reduce numbers further.

Southgate told the club's official website: "There were a couple of players who were frustrated with a lack of first-team opportunities last year, but I think they will all want to come back in pre-season and see what the situation is.

"Obviously, if we bring players in, that will affect their opportunities again, but we have to try to evolve the squad and continue to progress.

"Some of the younger players will come back stronger from the break.

"The only interest we have had is in taking a couple of players on loan, but I am not prepared to make those decisions yet because any one of my players could be in the first-team.

"If players stay or go is ultimately our decision, and we have got to make the right ones for the club."

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