With Luke Young sold to Aston Villa, Middlesbrough are now being linked with a move for Arsenal right-back Justin Hoyte.

According to the Evening Gazette, Boro boss Gareth Southgate’s No.1 target is England Under-21 international Hoyte (left), but Mauritz Volz of Fulham and Bristol City’s Bradley Orr are also reported to be in the frame.

Boro are said to be keen to move swiftly to bring in Young’s replacement, as they are now left with only Tony McMahon having first-team experience in right-back position.

Meanwhile, Southgate has explained the decision to sell Young, whose sale has angered Boro fans.

Southgate is quoted as saying: “Sometimes an offer can be one that makes it very difficult to turn down. It’s important we’re able to replace him very quickly.”

“I’m very relaxed about it,” he added. “I know that come next Saturday we’ll have a strong team and a strong squad.

“You learn very quickly as a manager that you have to deal with these events calmly and quickly. It would be easy for people to get jittery at this time and to panic. But I’m very pleased with where we’re at.

“This is an unexpected event, but you have to deal with those events during a season and how we react is the most important thing.”