England defender enters Boro's Bullard bid

Fulham have returned fire after Gareth Southgate moved for Jimmy Bullard by inquiring about Middlesbrough full-back Luke Young.

The Riverside Stadium club are keen on Bullard, 29, who spent the first 18 months of his Craven Cottage career on the sidelines with a cruciate knee ligament injury.

Young's name has now reportedly been thrown into the mix as Fulham attempt to deal with the interest in the best way possible.

The 28-year-old England international only joined Boro from Charlton for £2.5million last summer, but quickly established himself as a first-team star.

Fulham's first choice was Steve Finnan, but the Liverpool right back's salary demands are prohibitive.