BORO SWITCH TARGETS AFTER UGO COLLAPSE

Boro chairman Steve Gibson has withdrawn his bid for player after a breakdown in communications between both clubs, according to the Evening Gazette.

The Teesside club bid £9 million for the central defender last week and it seemed that Villa were prepared to cut their losses on Ehiogu, who made it clear he wanted to leave Villa Park, but there has been no contact between the clubs regarding the player.

Villa further angered Gibson by failing to return his calls as he tried to set up a deal for the England international and Boro boss Bryan Robson confirmed that any deal for the player now looks to be dead.

"Aston Villa have turned down our offer," said Robson. "We will revise the situation but, at this stage, I do not think we will be increasing our bid."

Middlesbrough have switched their attentions to Cameroon international defender Lucien Mettomo, who recently saw a move to Blackburn collapse over fitness problems.

Blackburn boss Graeme Souness has admitted that it would take 'a minor miracle' for any deal to be resurrected, but the St Etienne star has started a trial at the Riverside Stadium as Bryan Robson wants to have a closer look at the player.

"We have watched him several times and our chief scout Ray Train has been to have another look at him recently,said Robson. "He looks a useful player but we need to see him in a different environment over here."

Robson played down any doubts over the player's fitness after the Blackburn deal fell through because of a reported knee problem.

"He has been playing regularly and, in any case, we put players through a rigorous medical before signing them."