EXCLUSIVE: Warnock keen to raid former club to sign veteran star

Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock wants to raid his old club Cardiff City for veteran defender Sol Bamba, TEAMtalk understands.

Warnock agreed to remain at Boro after saving them from the drop, as we exclusively revealed. However, their plans to bring in a number of new faces has not gone to plan.

Boro have lost out on a host of deals with the likes of Lyndon Dykes, Joe Williams and Charlie Goode all going elsewhere. That’s despite our sources indicating Boro pressed hard to land them.

Warnock, however, remains keen to bring in a number of new names before the start of the season. He is now focusing on some of his former lieutenants having lost skipper George Friend to Birmingham. The departure of the long-serving Friend came after he turned down an offer to stay at The Riverside.

Boro are set to approach Cardiff about a deal for Bamba. They hope they will allow the 35-year-old to move to The Riverside for a nominal fee.

Boro handed tough start

Boro have been handed a tough start to the new season as the EFL announced their fixture list.

After travelling to Watford in their first game, Boro then entertain another relegated side, Bournemouth, in their next game.

“It doesn’t get much tougher as a start does it?” Warnock said.

“They are two good sides, and we’ve got to make sure we’re ready.

“They’ve both just come down and I’m sure they will lose a few players from last season, but they’ll also gain some as well so they’ll be strong.

“You look at it and say it’s as tough a start as you can have, but we all know what the Championship is like and every game is tough.

“I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully we’ll get a few more new signings in and we’ll be ready to go.”