He will become the second Egyptian at Boro, following the signing of £6m striker Mido from Tottenham two weeks ago.

Shawky has been on trial at the club’s Rockliffe Park training ground along with Al-Ahly team-mate Emad Moteab.

Southgate has decided against signing the latter but has been impressed enough by Shawky to try to agree a deal.

Southgate said: “We have been watching both players closely and feel that Mohammed would be a good addition.

“So he’s one we might add to the squad. We’re still in talks with him and his club finalising the deal.

“We’re not there yet but we hope to have it tied up in the next couple of days.”

Boro are expected to pay around £250,000 for the 25-year-old midfielder.

Shawky has already undergone a medical and is expected to seal his move subject to a work permit before the transfer window closes on Friday.

Southgate said: “Mohammed is a fit lad but he will need to train here for a while and get used to us.

“He has ability and, as we don’t have the biggest of squads, he will work with us and we hope he will settle in quickly.”

Shawky will become Southgate’s sixth new signing of the summer, following Jonathan Woodgate, Tuncay Sanli, Jeremie Aliadiere, Luke Young and Mido.

The Boro boss added that there could yet be one more addition before the window closes, depending on potential targets becoming available.

He said: “If we can we will get another one in, but we will have to wait and see what happens at the end of the week.”

Southgate said that the cash would not be spent hastily if, as expected, the sale of Ayegbeni Yakubu goes through without a further hitch

Boro have agreed a £11.25m transfer deal with Everton, though the Toffees were turned down when they applied to the Home Office for a work permit.

That decision is expected to be overturned by an appeal tribunal tomorrow, but even if Boro’s windfall is confirmed, Southgate stressed that he would not be rushing out to spend for the sake of it.

He said: “I am comfortable with the squad I have got. You are always looking to strengthen if you can, but it depends on the right players coming available.

“If that doesn’t happen then I will be in no rush to spend what little of the transfer fee comes my way.

“We will have 15 or 16 league games to play before January and I will use the opportunity to assess the squad and see if we need to make any improvements then.”

Southgate is currently preparing his squad for tomorrow’s Carling Cup second round clash at home to Northampton Town, when he will have to make at least three enforced changes.

He brought in both Luke Young and Jonathan Woodgate to the side for Sunday’s derby against Newcastle despite the fact that neither player had enjoyed a full pre season and they may now be rested ahead of Saturday’s Premier League game at home to Birmingham City.

Jeremie Aliadiere, who was knocked unconscious in a collision with Newcastle’s Steven Taylor, may also be rested with Tuncay Sanli and Dong-Gook Lee pushing for the first XI.