McClaren eyes Juve players

Steve McClaren is hoping to use Middlesbrough's links with Juventus to good effect in the summer, with Igor Tudor still a target.

Croatia international Tudor has long been mooted as a target for the Premiership club and he is currently spending a spell on loan at Siena.

Boro boss McClaren is keen to strengthen his squad in the summer and, in addition to Tudor, is also thought to be eyeing Juventus midfielder Stephen Appiah.

McClaren, along with Boro chief executive Keith Lamb, watched Juve in action against Liverpool last week, while chief scout Don Mackay took in Siena's clash with Milan over the weekend.

The Boro chief is returning to Italy on Wednesday to watch Siena's tussle with Roma where, along with casting an eye over Tudor, he will check on the progress of Massimo Maccarone.

He admits that he will be putting the versatile Tudor under the microscope after confirming he hopes to exploit Boro's ties with Juventus at the end of the season.

"I'm planning to watch Massimo against Roma," said McClaren. "Igor Tudor is playing for Siena as well.

"We sent Don over to watch Siena and they had a great victory over AC Milan.

"There is no hiding the fact that me and Keith Lamb went over there and took in the Liverpool game.

"We have good links with Juve and wanted to talk because things might be done in the summer.

"We have been looking at their fringe players because this is the time of year when you are looking at the big clubs and who they might be releasing or letting out on loan."