MIDDLESBROUGH are set to announce the signing of Fulham centre-half Fernando Amorebieta as they attempt to ensure they have adequate defensive cover for the remainder of the season.

Amorebieta, a 29-year-old Venezuela international, will join on loan until the end of the campaign, and help cover for the absence of Daniel Ayala and Jonathan Woodgate, both of whom are currently unavailable because of injury.

The deal will see left-back James Husband moving on loan in the opposite direction, with neither player eligible to play when Middlesbrough and Fulham meet on April 25.

Amorebieta started his career in Spain with Athletic Bilbao, making 254 appearances for the Basque club, who also formerly employed Aitor Karanka.

He left Bilbao on a free transfer in the summer of 2013 to join Fulham, but quickly slipped down the pecking order at Craven Cottage under Felix Magath.

He has made just seven senior appearances this season, but is likely to be on the Middlesbrough bench for the game against Wigan on April 3 unless Ayala or Woodgate regain their fitness.

His arrival suggests that Karanka is extremely reluctant to turn to Kenneth Omeruo, with the Chelsea loanee having made just four league appearances since the turn of the year.