Waiting game on Amougou transfer.

Byline: PHILIP TALLENTIRE

BORO are prepared to bide their time in their bid to sign Andre Amougou.

Now that pre-season training is under way, Tony Mowbray is keen to get his new signings in as early as possible.

He put the squad, including new boys Stuart Parnaby and Grant Leadbitter, through its paces at Rockliffe Park yesterday.

And Jonathan Woodgate will soon be joining in if he passes his medical and signs a three-year deal.

Boro have also been discussing personal terms with Amougou, pictured, who is a free agent. But it's proving tough to thrash out a deal that is suitable to all parties.

Mowbray hasn't given up in his bid to sign the Cameroon-born 27-year-old, who was formerly known as Andre Bikey.

But the club are working within tight parameters now that the financial fair play rules have been introduced.

If Boro do sign former Reading and Burnley defender Amougou as well as Woodgate, the manager will have plenty of options going into the new season.

He believes Rhys Williams' best position is centre-back and will be keen to field the Australian in the heart of defence.

And there's also Seb Hines, who established himself in the first team over the second half of last season.

Hines, who is now in the final year of his current Boro deal, has been discussing an extension and Mowbray is hopeful the 24-year-old will sign a new contract before the start of the season.