Middlesbrough are being linked with a move for Blackburn Rovers midfielder David Dunn, according to the News of the World.

Dunn enjoyed a very successful first spell at Blackburn between 1997-2003, before signing for Birmingham in 2003 for £5.5million, but a series of injuries blighted his time at St Andrews, resulting in the 28-year-old being sold back to Rovers for £2.2million in 2007.

Boro manager Gareth Southgate is keen to add to his midfield options at the Riverside Stadium, having seen George Boateng and Fabio Rochemback leave this summer, with Lee Cattermole expected to join Wigan Athletic in a £3.5million deal.

Southgate had been linked with a move for Reading’s James Harper, but the Royals midfielder is prepared to stay at the Championship side and fight for promotion back to the Premier League, which has caused the Boro boss to turn his attentions to Dunn.