Middlesbrough are considering a shock move for their former winger Stewart Downing.
The 28-year-old has already been told he is surplus to requirements at Liverpool and is likely to leave Anfield in January.
Boro are currently understood to be considering a move for his services in a bid to strengthen their own promotion credentials.
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is ready to allow Downing to depart on loan if no buyer comes forward for a player who originally joined them from Aston Villa in a £19m deal sixteen months ago.
The Teessiders have already ruled out any approach for the England international before the 5pm Thursday loan deadline, preferring instead to wait until the New Year.
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Great deal for you guys I think. In his 2nd season at Villa he was quality, but after telling us how much he loved it there, and how grateful he was to us for buying him injured and trusting in him, he jumped ship at the first avaialable opportunity. Left with a very sour taste and few Villa fans wished him well unlike Young Barry and Milner. Not had much chance to see Joe bennett yet with injuries and suspension. Hopefully he will be good enough to sort out our problem left back position