Sinclair is on his way to Boro in £2m deal

Trevor Sinclair should tie up a £2million move from West Ham to Middlesbrough this week. Middlesbrough have agreed a fee for the England midfielder, 30, and will meet Sinclair today to discuss personal terms.

The move for Sinclair indicates manager Steve McClaren has given up hope of signing Real Madrid midfielder Geremi, who spent a successful season on loan at the Riverside.

McClaren still wants to bring in Kevin Phillips, but his £2m valuation is some way short of what relegated Sunderland are asking for the striker. McClaren, who lost out in efforts to sign midfielders David Dunn and Brett Emerton, said:'We have probably lost Geremi and we have no cover for George Boateng, so midfield is my priority.

'The first signing of the summer is always the important one. Everything else follows from there. We hope to make progress soon. Our best 11 can beat anyone on their day but, at times, injuries and suspensions have disrupted our season.

'We need to make sure we are not caught short again like that, and midfield is the area we need to improve. This is a big year for us.' McClaren has convinced veteran defender Colin Cooper to sign a one-year extension to his contract. Cooper, 36, played 20 games last season and was attracting interest from Sunderland.

Carlos Marinelli's days look numbered with the Argentine midfielder, 21, expected to join Serie A newcomers Ancona this month.