Exclusive: Middlesbrough backed to sign ex-Premier League player - He can form "deadly" Tommy Conway partnership | OneFootball

Speaking exclusively with FLW, Lee Hendrie has been discussing Boro's reported interest in free agent striker Danny Ings.

Middlesbrough are understood to have held talks with free agent striker and former West Ham United man Danny Ings, as Rob Edwards looks to make his first handful of signings as Boro head coach.

TeessideLive have confirmed that what they describe as 'positive discussions' have taken place with the 32-year-old (who turns 33 on 23 July) over a move to Teesside.

Sky Sports' North East reporter Keith Downie has gone a step further too, stating that it's looking likely that the former England international will sign for Middlesbrough as it's the best option on the table for him currently.

However, the experienced striker is said to be one of a number of options Boro's recruitment team are looking at this summer.

"Brilliant" - Lee Hendrie makes Middlesbrough, Danny Ings claim

Speaking exclusively with Football League World, we asked Sky Sports pundit and former player Lee Hendrie: 'Middlesbrough are looking to sign Danny Ings - thoughts? Would he be a good potential partner for Tommy Conway?'

Hendrie said: "Danny Ings would be a brilliant signing for Boro.

"I think he's limited his game-time, and he's sort of gone off the radar since he left Aston Villa. West Ham; he struggled to really maintain a place.

"I think taking that step down, I know he's got experience, but when you've got the likes of Tommy Conway that can run in-behind, that partnership could be deadly in the Championship.

"So if it is to happen, I think it would be a real, real good signing for Boro."

Danny Ings could be highly shrewd signing for Middlesbrough - if one key thing happens

Edwards has commonly deployed two strikers during his managerial career, and looks set to bring that approach to Middlesbrough as well.

Even so, with Conway his only natural striking option, signing another out-and-out centre-forward - perhaps even two - this summer was always going to be a major priority for the new Boro boss.

In his first season on Teesside, Conway proved once again that he's an excellent player at Championship level, with the 22-year-old Scotland international finishing 24/25 as the club's top scorer with 13 goals in 36 league appearances.

As such, adding an experienced and proven goalscorer to accompany him in attack could be a very wise move by Middlesbrough indeed, and Ings could certainly prove to be an excellent foil to him in that regard.

He's made 240 Premier League appearances during his career, with a further 87 at Championship level, and has even played Champions League and Europa League football from his stints with Liverpool and West Ham respectively.

However, he does also have a long history with injury problems, and now comfortably into his 30's, the fear of such problems arising once again will understandably be of significant concern to Middlesbrough supporters.

But, Boro's recruitment chiefs have proven themselves to be savvy business operators in recent transfer windows, and so Boro fans will surely entrust that should the club sign Ings on a free transfer this summer, it won't come with the club taking a major financial gamble via his wage packet.

There are certainly pros and cons to doing this deal for Boro, but the prospect of a fully fit Danny Ings alongside Tommy Conway in the Championship could prove too tempting an opportunity for the club to pass up on.