Gareth Southgate's hunt for reinforcements intensified yesterday as his major problems with Middlesbrough's defensive line started to mount, writes Jack Pickering. Saturday's 3-2 defeat at newly-promoted Reading saw Boro squander a 2-0 lead as the new manager started his reign in disappointing style. But worse was to follow yesterday when it was revealed £1.75m signing Julio Arca - the only new arrival to date - has broken a bone in his foot and will be out for three weeks. With Sylvain Distin's proposed move to the Riverside Stadium having stalled and Brett Emerton opting to stay at Blackburn, Southgate's recruitment drive is proving to be a frustrating experience. Boro still hope to land Chelsea defender Robert Huth on loan after a permanent £5m switch fell through when he failed a medical, although he will not be available until the middle of next month at best. They have also been linked with Fiorentina's Czech international Tomas Ujfalusi. But Southgate will be hopeful that youngster Matthew Bates will be fit for tomorrow night's clash with champions Chelsea after a groin strain. Austrian Emanuel Pogatetz started alongside Chris Riggott at the Madejski Stadium but , with former Sunderland favourite Arca rule out, he could switch to left-back. Having seen the latest phase of his career start so promisingly - the visitors were 2-0 up within 21 minutes - Southgate was devastated to see it go sour. But the former England international is confident his players will bounce back. He said: "It won't need me to lift the players for Chelsea because it's the sort of game everyone wants to play in. The champions coming to your home is a great fixture and it's an opportunity for us to get off the mark." Boro stunned Jose Mourinho's side last season when they trounced them 3-0 at the Riverside, with goals from Fabio Rochemback, Stewart Downing and Aiyegbeni Yakubu. The win came a week after a 4-0 home defeat to Aston Villa had left the then manager Steve McClaren clinging to his job, and a similar result this time around would prove the perfect response to Saturday's reverse. FORMER Celtic utility player Didier Agathe is training with Aston Villa as Martin O'Neill continues his search to bring in new players before the transfer deadline. The Frenchman, who recently had a trial at Blackburn, was a key player for the Hoops under O'Neill during his five-year reign at Parkhead and helped them to reach the 2003 Uefa Cup final. Agathe can play at right-back or on the right flank, with the latter being an area O'Neill would like to strengthen after the return of on-loan James Milner to Newcastle. O'Neill said: "Didier is here for a few days and I'm having a look at him. That's all. There's nothing more at the minute." The Villa boss has only a week and a half to try to bring in new players with the takeover of the club still incomplete, although American billionaire Randy Lerner remains firm favourite to gain control. His interest remains high in bringing in Celtic midfielder Stilian Petrov but the Scottish giants are asking for £7m. | 
