Could 'big player' Doughty be on the way to Boro?

AS IT became clear that Rob Edwards would become the man entrusted to take the reins at Middlesbrough after Michael Carrick was sacked earlier this summer, links to Luton Town star Alfie Doughty felt almost inevitable.

- By CRAIG JOHNS

Described as a “big player” by Edwards, Doughty helped his Hatters in their run to promotion with two goals and seven assists from left wing-back before then registering three goals and nine assists in the Premier League, while Luton put up a valiant fight against relegation.

It didn’t take long for Doughty to be linked with a summer move to Boro then, as Edwards prepares to take control of the side. On top of that, Doughty’s future at Kenilworth Road is uncertain after Luton’s relegation to League One last term.

It would be easy to completely rule out such reports. Linking new managers with deals for former players can often be easy and lazy. Numerous former Manchester United players were linked to Boro under Carrick and not one ever signed.