EX-CATS LOAN FLOP FLETCHER COULD BE ON MOVE AGAIN

Middlesbrough could loan Championship rivals Sheffield United one of their unwanted attackers – but are still looking to bolster their own strikeforce.

Tony Pulis remains on the hunt for a winger to replace Adama Traore as he prepares his side for their EFL Cup clash against Rochdale tonight.

Boro have been linked with moves for Benfica’s £10m rated winger Rafael Alexandre Fernandes Ferreira da Silva and Huddersfield’s Rajiv van La Parra, only for Terriers boss David Wagner to rubbish the latter link.

Meanwhile, Sheffield United are keeping tabs on the situation at the Riverside as they look to add to their squad before Friday’s loan deadline, with boss Chris Wilder having confirmed his interest in winger Marvin Johnson.

“Yes, we have made an enquiry about Marvin,” Wilder said. “We have been speaking to Middlesbrough, like a couple of clubs have asked about a couple of our players who have not been playing.

“There is an interest from us on that. We have to wait for other clubs to do business to allow us pursue what we want to do.

“We have spoke to Middlesbrough, there’s been a couple of other enquiries from other clubs, and we understand that. Talks are ongoing.”

Pulis is only likely to sanction Johnson’s departure once he has a replacement in, having missed out on Yannick Bolasie.

Manager Chris Wilder has made Aston Villa centre-forward Scott Hogan one of his key transfer targets ahead of Friday’s loan deadline after admitting the Blades are short of recognised strikers.

However, Villa have striking issues of their own, and Steve Bruce is weighing up whether to let Hogan out on loan.

Wilder has lined up a series of alternative targets, one of which is believed to Boro striker Ashley Fletcher.

The frontman, who had a dismal loan spell at Sunderland last season, is down the pecking order at Boro despite the departure of Patrick Bamford.