Tees

Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards says that new signing David Strelec is "an exciting player" for the squad after the forward impressed while on international duty.

Strelec scored and provided an assist during Slovakia's 2-0 victory over Germany in World Cup qualifying and could make his debut for Boro on Saturday against Preston North End (12:30 BST) after joining on transfer deadline day.

"He's someone that our guys have been watching and keen on for a long time," Edwards told BBC Radio Tees.

"He can playing a number of positions in that top line, probably different attributes to what we've got. A little bit bigger, probably a little bit stronger than one or two that are on the front line for us.

"The way we are playing at the moment, with that front three, he can play in any of those three positions which is really good for us."

Listen to the full pre-match interview with Edwards and more Middlesbrough content on BBC Sounds.

Preston North End and Middlesbrough will face off on Saturday (12:30 BST) having each made impressive starts this season.

Preston have seven points from four games, getting notable wins against promotion hopefuls Ipswich Town and Leicester City.

Middlesbrough are currently the only side in the top four tiers of English football to have won their opening four games.

• Preston North End are unbeaten in each of their last three league matches against Middlesbrough (W2 D1) and have won six of their previous 10 league games against them (D1 L3).

• Middlesbrough have lost each of their last five away league games against Preston North End; they last lost six successive away league games to a side in May 2017, against Chelsea.

• Preston have won both of their home league games so far this season; they last won three in a row in the league at Deepdale in February 2024, with the third win in that run coming against Middlesbrough.

• Middlesbrough remain the only side in the Championship with a 100% record, winning all four of their games so far and conceding only once. They've never won their opening five league games of a Football League campaign before.

• Middlesbrough's Tommy Conway has scored in his last two league games, with both strikes ultimately acting as the winning goal. He last scored in three consecutive matches in August 2022 with Bristol City.

Image source, Getty Images

Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards has been named Championship manager of the month for August.

Boro have won all of their opening four games to land them at the top of the table and give them their best start in 31 years.

Edwards, who was appointed in June following the dismissal of Michael Carrick, has earned praise from fans for his tactical adjustments and open attitude.

"It's a big team effort from everyone, players, staff and supporters, and it's great to get some recognition for that," Edwards said.

"There's a nice feeling around the place. I'm lucky to work with some good people, some good players, and I've really been welcomed by the fantastic supporters, so it's been good.

"It's been great to get some results early doors, equally, we're only four games in and there's 42 to go, so we're not getting carried away.

"Performances have been good – we've deserved the victories - and I think there's more to come from us. We have to focus on staying level and being consistent because we have some talent here."

The 40-year-old beat out Coventry City's Frank Lampard, West Bromwich Albion's Ryan Mason and Stoke City's Mark Robins for the award.

Image source, Rex Features

Hartlepool United have brought in forward Vadaine Oliver to bolster their squad.

Oliver, 33, arrives as a free agent, having been released by Bradford City at the end of last season.

He spent the second half of last season on loan at Shrewsbury Town, scoring twice in 13 appearances.

Oliver has played more than 300 games in the EFL for clubs including Crewe, Mansfield, Morecambe, Northampton and Gillingham.

Image source, Getty Images

Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards, Coventry City's Frank Lampard, West Bromwich Albion's Ryan Mason and Stoke City's Mark Robins have been nominated for the Championship's manager of the month award for August.

Edwards will be a strong contender as Boro occupy top spot after an unblemished winning start to the season, while Mason has enjoyed an unbeaten start in his first permanent managerial role with his Baggies side in second.

Lampard is also recognised as Coventry are yet to lose, while influential Sky Blues midfielder Victor Torp has earned a nomination for player of the month for his four goals in four matches.

Stoke City have another nominee in new signing Sorba Thomas, who has two goals and three assists across his four games, with the Potters who lie third under Robins.

Meanwhile, Norwich City striker Josh Sargent and Bristol City full-back Ross McCrorie round out the player of the month nominations after strong starts to their respective seasons.

Sargent has found the target five times in four games, while McCrorie delivered three assists and scored one goal in August.

The winners will be announced on Friday.

Middlesbrough head of football Kieran Scott has said it was Rob Edwards' "passion" and "energy" that made him the right pick for their head coach role.

Edwards replaced former boss Michael Carrick in June after Boro failed to make the Championship play-offs last season.

"I thought all his characteristics are right for Middlesbrough," Scott told BBC Radio Tees. "He's a good character, an emotional guy and he's connected with the fans really quickly. I can assure you that's not a facade from him, that is him.

"I thought we were missing a bit of that. I thought we need a bit of passion and a bit of energy and Rob brings that in abundance."

The appointment followed criticism of the time it took between the conclusion of the season and Carrick's dismissal.

However, Scott said the former England midfielder's service to the club over his two and a half years in charge warranted "a lengthy review".

He said: "It did take a little bit of time, for sure, but it was on the basis that we wanted to do the right thing and Michael deserved that time to speak about it in depth."

The decision to sack Carrick and appoint Edwards has gone smoothly for the Teesside club so far, with Boro enjoying a 100% winning record to lead the second tier after four games.

Boro were able to secure deals in the summer such as a loan spell for Manchester City teenager Sverre Nypan - a move that the Premier League side were more than happy to facilitate.

"My understanding was that we were the choice for them [Manchester City], they identified us," Scott added.

"We've got a good track record with loan players over the years and we've shown that we will play good players even if they are young. So it's good that City see us as that and hopefully we can keep doing it."

Listen to the full interview with Scott and more Middlesbrough content on BBC Sounds