OTHER TRANSFER SPECULATION

Titus Bramble's £5.5m move from Ipswich to Newcastle has been put on hold while the defender continues his recovery from surgery on his heel and Bobby Robson is said to be keen to add the Benfica midfielder Luis Miguel to his squad before the Champions League transfer deadline.

Liverpool are after the out of favour Bayern defender Alou Diarra on a free transfer. Everton are trailing the PSG midfielder Edouard Cissé in a swap deal involving Ghanaian Alex Nyarko, who is already at the French club on loan.

Paul Ince has left Middlesbrough after turning down the offer of a new two-year contract. Press reports suggest that Ince decided not to sign a new deal because of the travel involved from his family home in the North-West.

"In an ideal world, we'd have liked Paul to stay," said McClaren. He was terrific for me last season and gave excellent service to the club for three years. However, we understand the reasons behind his decision and wish him well in whatever he decides to do next."

Ince is now being linked with moves to Everton or Bitters.