A fresh report has linked Middlesbrough with a move for Rangers winger Jordan Jones.
Back in December, the Daily Mail reported that two EFL Championship sides, Middlesbrough and Stoke City, were interested in a loan move for the 25-year-old.
Now, hot on the heels of a Northern Echo report which asserted that Sunderland are eyeing up a late swoop, TEAMtalk reports that Boro are also primed to move before Friday’s deadline.
It’s claimed that manager, Jonathan Woodgate, is concerned about an injury recently sustained by Patrick Roberts and is turning to Jones as cover for the back end of the season.
The report suggests that this would initially be on loan, hinting at the potential for a permanent move down the line.
Verdict
It’s been suggested by the Daily Record that Jones and Brandon Barker are both surplus to requirements at Rangers.
However, Gary McAllister’s comments on Tuesday appeared to refute that notion. He insisted that opportunities would present themselves for both players down the line if they proved themselves in training [Rangers FC Twitter].
As mentioned in reaction to the reported Sunderland interest, it would seem strange from the Gers to give up on the Northern Ireland international after just half a season, most of which he has missed through injury.
Unlike someone like a Greg Docherty, he’s hardly been left out in the cold of late, either.
While Jones started against Stranraer and failed to impress, he has subsequently been included on the bench for the first two league fixtures of 2020, against St Mirren and Hearts.
Genuine Middlesbrough interest may bring a different dynamic, considering the player’s connection with the club.
He was born in Redcar, a town less than 10 miles from the Riverside Stadium and began his career there.
However, when he earned his move to the Gers from Kilmarnock, he described it as a dream come true, and it’d be a surprise if he gave up on that dream so soon after realising it.
