BORO UNVEIL BACKROOM STAFF

Sports psychologist Bill Beswick has been given the role of assistant manager, with Steve Harrison taking the role of first team coach, Steve Round taking over reserve team responsibilities and Paul Barron is the new goalkeeping manager.

Beswick was the first member of staff to be approached by the Teessiders and having worked with McClaren at Manchester United, he takes on his first major role in football after also spending time last season working with the England Under 21 squad.

The appointment`s of Aston Villa`s Steve Harrison and Paul Barron had already been confirmed and Round`s move from Derby was a mere formality.

The team have assembled at Boro`s Hurworth-based Rockcliffe Park training complex to plan for pre-season training which begins next week.

One man who will definitely be present for training is Croatian ace Alen Boksic who has dispelled fears regarding his health following a boat crash in the Adriatic Sea.

Some reports had suggested that the former Lazio man would not be fit to start training, but the 31-year-old has assured Boro that this is not the case.

"We were involved in a relatively minor collision, there was no real problem, but I banged my head. There is nothing serious and I'll be back for training on Monday," said Boksic.

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that crack Basque side Athletic Bilbao will provide the opposition for Curtis Fleming`s testimonial game at The Riverside on August 5.