Defender just in need of fitness

Manager Tony Mowbray confirmed there had not been any approaches made for Middlesbrough full-back Justin Hoyte.

The 28-year-old former Arsenal defender missed the weekend draw with Blackpool due to his current fitness levels and not because of his imminent departure from the club.

“No club has phoned me about him. He went to the Gold Cup in the summer and hasn’t done pre-season training,” Mowbray told the Evening Gazette. “He is behind the others fitness-wise and that is why he wasn’t involved.

“So don’t look too deeply into it,” he added. “Frazer Richardson and Stuart Parnaby are ahead of him at the moment.”