Boro's offer accepted

Doncaster Rovers have accepted a six-figure offer from Middlesbrough for defender George Friend.

That follows the 24-year-old holding talks with Boro over the weekend regarding a possible move onto Teesside.

"I didn't want to lose George but I've got to get some players out before I can get some in," Rovers boss Dean Saunders explained to BBC Radio Sheffield. "We've agreed a fee but I think there will be a few other clubs coming in and trying to take him as well."

Friend appeared in 29 games as Doncaster suffered relegation last season following earlier spells at Exeter City and Wolverhampton Wanderers, plus loans with Millwall, Southend United and Scunthorpe United.

Meanwhile, Boro have decided against proceeding any further with trialist former Portsmouth goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown ahead of their pre-season opener at Falkirk on Sunday.

The deal to take Bristol Rovers winger Mustapha Carayol to the Riverside is though progressing in the right direction, while ex-Reading and Burnley defender Andre Amougou has been offered a deal after a series of talks.

Manager Tony Mowbray is also considering a couple of strikers, including West Bromwich Albion forward Simon Cox and current free-agent Mikael Forssel.

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