Steve McClaren yesterday said he was disappointed to hear Jonathan Greening's claims that the Middlesbrough manager had lost his dressing room.

When beleaguered McClaren should be concentrating on overcoming the challenge of Coventry City in their FA Cup fourth round replay, he took time out to refute the West Bromwich Albion player's comments.

Greening, a former Middlesbrough midfielder, said there was disquiet in the Teesside dressing room.

"I am not really surprised to see Middlesbrough struggling," said Greening who left the Riverside to join Albion.

Albion are now a point above Middlesbrough which must add to McClaren's chagrin.

Greening added: "I know a few of the boys there who are a bit unhappy with McClaren's way of doing things.

"Some of the signings have not worked out for him either. He spent £8.5 million on Massimo Maccarone, and he doesn't even play."

It will hardly endear Greening, who scored one of the goals in Albion's 2-0 victory over Blackburn last Saturday, to the Middlesbrough fans on whom he turned his back in 2004. He is likely to be in the Baggies side at The Riverside on February 25.

McClaren, who also has the added distraction of speculation linking him to the the England manager's job.

"It disappoints me because Jonathan Greening was, I thought, a very good football player for this club," he said. "We brought him in from Manchester United reserves and gave him an opportunity in the Premier League.

"He did very well and was always a great lad around the place, a great pro to work with, a delight, a nice lad. I haven't read the comments, but obviously I've heard, and it disappoints me."

McClaren also dismissed reports that Dutch midfielder George Boateng has signed a new four-and-a half-year deal worth £10.5 million which had been a further cause of unrest in the dressing room.

Although he admitted talks with the former Aston Villa player are close to a conclusion, he insisted the contract will be worth nowhere near that amount, and that whatever the figures involved, the rest of the squad will be delighted to see him sign.

Middlesbrough defender Chris Riggott could return to the starting line-up against Coventry, having missed the last three games with a back injury, but may partner skip-per Gareth Southgate at the heart of a defence which has conceded 17 goals in six games.

Boateng and Fabio Rochemback (both knee) are still a week away from a return, while James Morrison is stepping up his bid for match fitness, but Franck Queudrue (knee), Ugo Ehiogu (hamstring) and Ray Parlour (ankle) are still out.