Two-horse Boro race

GARRY MONK and Nigel Pearson will be interviewed this week as Middlesbrough move towards appointing their new manager.

Monk, who quit Leeds to make himself available, remains favourite to succeed Steve Agnew at the Riverside Stadium following Boro’s relegation.

Former Swansea boss Monk is also attracting interest from Crystal Palace and Sunderland – and is understood to be keeping his options open.

Boro owner Steve Gibson will also speak to the club’s former captain Pearson, who was considered in March after Aitor Karanka was shown the door.