Middlesbrough FC news and transfer rumours: Warnock eyes second summer signing plus Nottingham Forest swoop

The match at the Riverside is set to take place on Saturday, September 5, a week before the start of the new Championship campaign.

Warnock had said he wanted to sign three or four more players before the end of August, but has admitted negotiations are proving tricky in an unpredictable transfer market.

One name which emerged as a potential target over the weekend was that of Wigan midfielder Joe Williams.

Boro were said to be in a battle with Bristol City to sign the 23-year-old who was a regular for the Latics last season.

According to TeessideLive, Boro are understood to have registered an interest in the box-to-box midfielder who is valued at around £2.5million.

Warnock will be keen to get another deal over the line before his squad travel to Cornwall next Monday for a week-long training camp.

A change to the coaching staff

Boro have made one new addition on the coaching staff this week following the arrival of goalkeeping coach Ian Bennett.

The 48-year-old joins the Teessiders from Nottingham Forest where he stepped up from an academy role during Aitor Karanka’s time at the City Ground.

“I’m delighted Ian has joined us,” Warnock told Boro’s website following the appointment.

“Having worked with Ian before, I know him well and he’s a good lad. He has a lot of experience and enthusiasm and is a great addition for us.”

Bennett will replace Danny Coyne in the role just over a year after the latter joined Jonathan Woodgate’s coaching staff.

Shrews boss really excited

Finally Shrewsbury boss Sam Ricketts says he’s ‘really excited’ about the prospect of facing Boro in the Carabao Cup first round.

“It will be a great test for us to go play against a good Championship side away from home," said Ricketts, whose side haven’t played a competitive fixture since March.

"We're also really looking forward to getting back to playing competitive football. We're certainly relishing the challenge ahead."

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