Boro close in on Young

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The 28-year-old England international has completed a medical on Teesside after the two clubs agreed a £2.5million fee at the weekend, but manager Gareth Southgate is cautiously optimistic and taking nothing for granted.

He said: "We are pretty much there with Luke now. All we are waiting for, pretty much, is the paperwork from the Charlton end, but I do not want to say too much until the deal is done."

He added: "Until everything is signed and sealed with the Football Association, I can't say much more. I don't want to tempt fate, but we are almost there with that one."

Southgate moved for Young following the departures of right-backs Abel Xavier and Stuart Parnaby at the end of last season.

The player has made no secret of his wish to play in the Barclays Premier League once again after Charlton's relegation, and Boro are keen to give him that chance.

The Harlow-born player would became Southgate's fourth summer signing after the arrivals of Jonathan Woodgate, Jeremie Aliadiere and Tuncay Sanli.

None of the new boys were involved in Tuesday night's friendly against Darlington as two goals from 20-year-old striker Tom Craddock saw off the League Two side.

There were returns from injury for Stewart Downing and Julio Arca, but young defender Matthew Bates limped out after less than half an hour on his return from a cruciate problem, although Southgate was quick to rule out a recurrence.

He told the Northern Echo: "It is a concern because the way he fell didn't look very good," said Southgate. "We'll scan it and fingers crossed it's not serious but I must say it didn't look good."