Middlesbrough are set to snap up former Celtic full-back Lee Naylor after deciding against a loan deal for Sunderland's Matt Kilgallon.
The Black Cats north-east rivals have been heavily tipped to take fringe stopper Kilgallon down the A19 to the Riverside Stadium to help bolster boss Gordon Strachan's defensive options.
However, despite Sunderland boss Steve Bruce assuring Boro that Kilgallon is fully over a back problem, it appears that the Teessiders have switched their focus elsewhere.
Strachan could now move promptly to take 30-year-old Naylor to Boro in a bid to finally solve the left-back headache caused by Andrew Taylor's ongoing injury problems.
The former Wolves defender has been training with Cardiff City after being released from Parkhead at the end of last season and would no doubt jump at the chance to link up with former Bhoys boss Strachan at the Riverside.
Meanwhile it is reported that Old Firm duo Rangers and Celtic are now preparing to fight it out to take Kilgallon north of the border on loan.