Posh chief slams Boro striker link

Peterborough director of football Barry Fry has moved to play down reports linking striker Craig Mackail-Smith with Middlesbrough.

Fry has spoken out after weekend speculation resulted in Mackail-Smith being tipped as a potential target for new Boro boss Gordon Strachan after the Scot lamented his lack of forward options following his side's shock 1-0 home defeat to Plymouth on Saturday.

The former Birmingham boss insists Strachan has not been in touch with Posh about Mackail-Smith, while he also ruled out a possible move to Tottenham for the in-form George Boyd.

"I have had no contact from Harry Redknapp about Boyd or Gordon Strachan about Mackail-Smith so there is nothing in those reports," said Fry.

Strachan, who signed Marcus Bent on loan until January has also been heavily linked with a swoop for striker Leon Best from his former club Coventry City. The player will be out of contract at the Ricoh Arena next summer and has yet to agree a new deal so could be available for a knockdown fee in January.