Middlesbrough are reported to be closing in on Colchester United’s highly rated winger Mark Yeates.

Bristol City, Crystal Palace and Sheffield United were all keen but appear to have been pipped by the Riverside club.

Boro are understood to have agreed a fee in the region of £500,000 with Colchester for Yeates who has just 12 months remaining on his contract.

The ex-Tottenham man has scored 21 goals in 81 appearances for the League One club.