Middlesbrough sign Osbourne from Aston Villa

Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan today signed Aston Villa midfielder Isaiah Osbourne on a two-month loan deal.

The Birmingham-born 21-year-old, who trained with the Teessiders for the first time this morning, has made 29 appearances for Villa since earning his senior debut three years ago.

Strachan said: "I have known about Isaiah for about a year and he will bring us more strength in the midfield area where we are definitely short on numbers.

"He's not a flair player, he's what I would call a continuity player, but he will also give us strength, height and get about the pitch."

Osbourne already has some experience of the Coca-Cola Championship having made eight appearances on loan at Nottingham Forest last season.