BORO are "very hopeful" of being able to complete a deal for England U21 international right-back Justin Hoyte after having a bid accepted by Arsenal.

The club plan to speak to the player as soon as possible, although manager Gareth Southgate admitted the tight timescale means it is highly unlikely that he'll be available to face Spurs on Saturday.

Hoyte was an unused substitute in a Champions League qualifier last night as Arsenal beat Steve McClaren's FC Twente 2-0 in Holland.

"We're hoping he will travel up later today for talks and a medical and we're very hopeful that we will sign him up," said Southgate.

"I would think it's unlikely that it will be done by Saturday but we will make every effort."

Hoyte has been strongly linked with Boro ever since Luke Young moved to Aston Villa in a £6m deal and Southgate is confident he can fill the void left by the England defender.

"He's a young player who has a good pedigree and has had a good schooling with Arsenal," he said.

"I've seen a fair bit of him and I've spoken to lots of players, manager and coaches who've worked with him and got very positive feedback.

"He's someone who needs to get out and play. We feel we can work with him and try to improve him as a player and we very much hope we can secure his signature."