Jonathan Woodgate is expected on Teesside today to undergo a medical with a view to completing a season-long loan move to Middlesbrough.

The 26-year-old Real Madrid defender visited the club's Rockliffe Park training headquarters on Monday, where he spoke to manager Gareth Southgate and chairman Steve Gibson before promising them a decision within 24 hours.

It is understood that reply, when it came, was positive and the Middlesbrough-born player will now undergo the required medical tests and look to complete the move ahead of Thursday's transfer deadline.

Woodgate, who had also interested several other clubs, has managed just 14 appearances for Real in two years because of injury following his £13.4million switch from Newcastle two years ago.

Southgate has targeted the England international in his latest attempt to replace himself on the field.

The former Boro skipper agreed terms with Chelsea's Robert Huth during the summer but the deal fell through at the last minute when the Germany international failed a medical.

Southgate is maintaining his interest in the 21-year-old Chelsea defender but Woodgate's capture would ease his defensive worries.

Boro were trounced 4-0 at the Riverside Stadium by Portsmouth last nigh, just five days after giving their manager his first Premiership victory with a 2-1 win over champions Chelsea.