McClaren free to aid Eriksson

Middlesbrough have given their new manager, Steve McClaren, permission to rejoin the England coaching set-up.

While the Leicester manager, Peter Taylor, is waiting to hear whether his club will support an extension to his association with Sven Goran Eriksson, McClaren has been given Middlesbrough's blessing to resume part-time coaching with the Football Association. It was a role he assumed in the wake of Kevin Keegan's resignation in October until Manchester United, where he was assistant manager, put a stop to the arrangement in the wake of England's 2-1 victory over Finland in March. They argued his brief had been only to stabilise England's performances and that this had been achieved.

"I've had four games with Sven and one on my own and it's done nothing but good," said McClaren. "It means a good profile for myself and the club."

McClaren, who yesterday signed a five-year contract to replace Bryan Robson as manager at the Riverside Stadium, has yet to speak to the FA, although Keith Lamb, the Middlesbrough chief executive, yesterday confirmed the club's approval of the idea.