Edwards in-tray: New boss preparing for baptism of fire

ROB Edwards is expected to officially start his new role at Middlesbrough boss this weekend, and will face a busy first couple of weeks in the job.

- By CRAIG JOHNS

With the players back for pre-season training at the back end of next week, there will be an initial period of settling at Rockliffe for the new boss before the real work begins. Edwards will be tasked with transforming Boro into a promotion-chasing side after last season's disappointing tenth-placed finish.

Having beaten other candidates to land the role, Edwards now needs a fast start in the Boro hot seat as he aims to quickly win over supporters - many of whom began to grow disillusioned towards the end of last season. Here's Edwards' immediate priorities as he takes up the reins on Teesside.

Transfer planning

One of the first things in the diary for the new Boro head coach is meeting with Boro's recruitment team and finalising plans for the summer transfer window.

Edwards was already familiar with both head of football Kieran Scott and head of recruitment Chris Jones anyway, having previously worked with the pair at Wolves. Scott was involved in the interview process that saw Edwards eventually emerge as Boro's preferred candidate for the role, but the meeting with the recruitment team will be his first chance to sit down with Jones where they will discuss Boro's previously put-together shopping plans.