Middlesbrough

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Middlesbrough defender Callum Brittain hopes he can bring "something different" to his new team.

The 27-year-old arrived this week on a four-year deal from fellow Championship side Blackburn Rovers.

"He [Rob Edwards] just loves my energy, up and down on that right hand side," Brittain told BBC Radio Tees.

"I think it's a bit different to what the rest of the lads have been playing as I am very direct on the ball, I like to cross the ball and get it in the box.

"Obviously there is the defensive side as well, trying to be as aggressive as I can, I like to be front footed, and love one-to-one defending as well."

Looking ahead to what the season has in store, Brittain added: "We have to create an atmosphere inside the changing room. We all have to pull in the same direction and work for each other.

"There is lots of quality in this dressing room and I think if we play with freedom and on the front foot, we can create a lot of chances this season."

"I don't think you can say with any conviction right now that Boro will finish in the top six this season."

BBC Radio Tees' Rob Law is joined by The Northern Echo's Dom Shaw ahead of Middlesbrough's opening Championship game against Swansea City on Saturday (15:00 BST) to talk squad depth and expectations for the new season.

Listen to the full analysis and more on BBC Sounds.

Middlesbrough defender Alfie Jones hopes his experience in the Championship can have a "good impact" on his new side.

The 27-year-old was boss Rob Edwards' first signing, joining from Hull City in July on a four-year deal.

"Hopefully I can come in and have a good impact," Jones told BBC Radio Tees.

"Obviously I've played in the Championship for quite a few seasons now which has been good, so hopefully I can bring that extra bit of support for the lads.

"On the ball, I can get the lads playing and get the team moving up the pitch."

Listen to the full interview with Jones and more on BBC Sounds.

Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards has confirmed that defender Darragh Lenihan will miss the start of the season with a muscle injury.

Lenihan, who has not featured for the side in a league game since September 2023, has recently been making his comeback from injury but was not present for the side's 2-2 pre-season draw with Deportivo on Saturday.

"Unfortunately, Darragh on Tuesday just felt a bit of a muscle pain," Edwards told BBC Radio Tees after the match.

"I think it's going to be three weeks or so, which is a frustrating one for us and for Darragh because he was doing so well.

"He felt good going into the training session, just literally passed the ball. That was the mechanism."

Another player who did not feature was Rav van den Berg, though Edwards confirmed this was also due to injury and not because of any impending transfers.

The 42-year-old added: "Rav trained part of the session yesterday so not the full session.

"I'm expecting him to train on Monday."

Listen to the full post-match interview with Edwards and more on BBC Sounds.

Middlesbrough forward Tommy Conway says he "enjoys" his new role in boss Rob Edwards' tactical set-up.

The Scotland international scored twice in a 2-2 pre-season draw with Deportivo on Saturday after taking up a more central position than he occupied under former boss Michael Carrick last season.

But it's a style of play the 22-year-old believes could become fruitful for him over the course of the new season.

"Since day one, Rob came in and wants a pressing team with high energy up the pitch," Conway told BBC Radio Tees.

"There were elements of play in the old style where I would tend to come out to the left side a little bit more but that was just the style of play.

"This is different. Maybe this is me more in the box where I don't get as many touches but I'm in there where it matters and scoring the goals."

Listen to the full interview with Conway and more on BBC Sounds.

Ajax striker Chuba Akpom is set to undergo a medical at Birmingham City ahead of a season-long loan at St Andrew's with an option to buy - despite Middlesbrough's attempts to snatch the 29-year-old Londoner. (Birmingham Mail), external

Blues are also favourites to sign Ghana international Terry Yegbe, 24, from Swedish side IF Elfsborg in a deal potentially worth up to £5.2m. (Expressen - in Swedish), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Monday's gossip column here.

Middlesbrough are expected to complete a deal for Blackburn Rovers defender Callum Brittain. (Lancashire Telegraph), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Friday's gossip column here.

"From watching the pre-season games, I think we'd all agree that there are still very big gaps in this squad."

BBC Radio Tees' Mark Drury is joined by Northern Echo writer Scott Wilson as they discuss what Middlesbrough have left to do in the summer transfer window and why it is a tricky one to navigate.

Listen to the full analysis and more on BBC Sounds.

Ipswich Town have struck a deal with Middlesbrough for 23-year-old midfielder Hayden Hackney worth up to £20m but now await an agreement from the England Under-21 international to complete the move. (EFL Analysis), external

Wrexham are prepared to make a £7m bid for Wales forward Nathan Broadhead but his current club Ipswich are not looking to sell the 27-year-old this summer. (Sky Sports), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Wednesday's gossip column here.

Middlesbrough are expecting to seal 20-year-old Ivorian midfielder Abdoulaye Kante's signature from French side ES Troyes AC on a £2.6m deal. (Yorkshire Post), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Tuesday's gossip column here.

Ipswich Town have joined a number of Premier League teams in a race to sign Middlesbrough and England Under-21 midfielder Hayden Hackney, 23.

The Tractor Boys have also registered an interest in Hackney's teammate, English defender Dael Fry, despite the 27-year-old not being expected to leave this summer. (EFL Analysis), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Monday's gossip column here.

Middlesbrough are keeping an eye on Swansea defender Josh Key but will need to meet the Swans' valuation of £5m for the 25-year-old Englishman. (Alan Nixon via Patreon - subscription required), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Thursday's gossip column here.

Former Middlesbrough midfielder Neil Maddison said that Jonny Howson will be "a big miss" after his departure from the club.

The defensive midfielder was not given a new deal after the conclusion of his contract last season, bringing an end to his eight-year tenure with the club.

"When Jonny was in the side, you felt more comfortable. When you were going through a bad run and he comes into the side, it all disappears. You seem to be a better side," Maddison told BBC Radio Tees.

"Those players are hard to find.

"I think he'll be sorely missed, certainly in terms of galvanising the team when they need to try and get that win or try to get back into the game. He was a perfect fit for the team."

As far as whether age was catching up to the veteran, Maddison added: "Even at the ripe old age of 37, I still think he can perform and he can fill in positions as well. Those players are important.

"I still felt he had a little bit to offer."

Listen to the full analysis of Jonny Howson's departure and more on BBC Sounds.

Middlesbrough are set to sign Oxford City's 19-year-old striker Jayden Carbon following an impressive National League North campaign from the English teenager last season. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Wednesday's gossip column here.

West Bromwich Albion, Norwich and Middlesbrough are all interested in signing 27-year-old Northern Ireland left-back Jamal Lewis following his release by Newcastle. (SportsBoom, external)

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Tuesday's gossip column here.