Boro to move for Davis after Dalmat failure

Davis has lodged a transfer request with Fulham, who have yet to decide whether to accept it or not.

However, the move by the England Under-21 star has given a clear indication to interested parties that he wants to move on.

Boro, along with Everton, appear to be leading the chase and Riverside chief Steve McClaren has again signalled his intention.

McClaren had already revealed his admiration for Davis, before his request, and now a firm bid looks inevitable.

"I said this morning before I even knew this when asked about Sean Davis that he's a player I've always admired," he said.

"I like the way he plays and I've followed his progress all the way through.

"He's a clever player who fits our profile. He's English, he's young and he's a player that I've said if he becomes available, he's somebody we'd certainly be interested in."

Boro goalkeeper Mark Crossley has also been linked with a move in the opposite direction and bid including him from McClaren looks a firm possibility.

However, one move which is not on is Boro's bid for Dalmat of Internazionale.

"We tried to get the player (Dalmat) on loan, but Inter were holding out for a permanent transfer, which at this stage, we're not likely to do," he said.

"It looks as though that one will fizzle out.

"We're working very hard behind the scenes. We're constantly on the phone and we will get there.

"We've got a few on the list which we're endeavouring to do over the next couple of weeks."

Inter's technical director Marco Branca confirmed Dalmat's move to Boro was now off.

"I think that the possibility of him going to Middlesbrough has definitively vanished," he told Calciomanager.

"He has asked us for a few days to consider his situation.

"Negotiations are closed at the moment. There is nothing. For the time-being Dalmat is still an Inter Milan player."

Meanwhile, Boro have confirmed that Michael Ricketts will definitely miss the start of the season.

The former Bolton star injured his Achilles earlier this summer and although he is now back in training, he will not make the opening encounters of the new campaign.

"Michael is back in light training and doing lots of running," said McClaren.

"He's not quite ready for full training yet but he's getting there.

"He'll certainly miss the first game but we hope to have him back available early in the season."

Boro are still waiting to the hear the extent of the ankle injury which Italian star Massimo Maccarone sustained in the club's first game of pre-season against Hull.

"He's undergoing tests and investigations on his ankle to try to get to the root of the problem," added McClaren.

"It's still not clear exactly what it is so we can't say how long he's going to be out."