Republic of Ireland's Alan Moore and Steve Baker are expected to start the new season with Middlesbrough but both might not last long at the north-east club.

Moore has been plagued by injuries since he joined 'Boro in 1991. He has only started 98 games in that length of time. Manager Bryan Robson expected him to be the next Ryan Giggs but knee problems have stopped him from showing his real talent. Ireland manager Mick McCarthy is also a big fan of the player and has capped him at every opportunity.

Moore is now 25 and he really needs to make his mark at the Riverside next season if he is to have any future at the club. Along with Baker he is transfer listed by Bryan Robson but until he can prove his fitness no team is going to touch him. He didn't play a competitive game for 'Boro last season and the last time he played any first-team football was when he was on loan at Barnsley at the end of 1998.

Baker hasn't figured in Robson's plans at all and he would be doing himself a favour if he moved down a league or two to get first-team football. Capped at u21 level for the Republic of Ireland, Baker has a lot of potential as a full-back. He has only played 13 times for Middlesbrough since he joined the club in 1996 and had short-term loan spells at both Darlington and Huddersfield last season.

Baker is still only 21 so he has time to mature into a Premiership player - but it looks as if he will have to do it away from the Riverside.