Marcus Bent joins Middlesbrough on loan

Gordon Strachan snapped up striker Marcus Bent as his first signing for Middlesbrough - thanks to old mate Alex McLeish.

Much-travelled Birmingham forward Bent has joined Boro on loan after a season in the shadows as St Andrews, with Strachan’s long-term pal McLeish happy to oblige.

Strachan had been linked with team-mate Kevin Phillips, but Bent is further down the pecking order and available as the Blues are planning a revolution in the next transfer window.

Bent has had mixed success in recent years, briefly starring for Wigan before being shunted out to Birmingham – and he has the chance to re-establish himself at Boro ahead of a possible full-time move.