Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has confirmed that he hopes to complete the signing of Mark Yeates from Colchester in the 'next couple of days' after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed fee for the Irishman.

Despite reported interest from a number of Championship clubs including Bristol City and Crystal Palace, 24-year-old Yeates has been persuaded to move to The Riverside as Boro look to make an immediate return to the Premier League next season.

Former Tottenham starlet Yeates, who has scored 21 goals in 81 appearances for the U's, had just 12 months remaining on his contract at the Weston Homes Community Stadium and moves for a fee believed to be in the region of £500,000.

"He's a player that I'm interested in," Southgate admitted to skysports.com. "We've been in negotiations with Colchester and we feel we are close to being able to do some sort of a deal there.

"Hopefully something might happen over the next couple of days."

Southgate has also outlined the type of player he is looking to bring to Tyneside this summer and admits that a greater blend of youth and experience is required as well as players who are aware of what is required in the second tier of English football.

"We need players of Premier League quality but I want players who have played in the Championship and who have a hunger to push on and a desperate desire to play in the Premier League," Southgate said.

"We want a mixture of hunger, energy and quality."