Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock has revealed that a reunion with Patrick Roberts will not be a priority for the club this season in the transfer window.

Roberts spent time on loan with Boro last season, having initially been signed by Warnock’s predecessor, Jonathan Woodgate.

The 23-year-old managed 10 appearances, which resulted in one goal and two assists.

Quiz: 6 of these Middlesbrough facts are false – Can you identify them?

Hartlepool Mail note how there is no future for Roberts with parent-club, Manchester City, who would not stand in his way should a move materialise this summer.

Whilst signing Roberts again is something Warnock would like to do, the Boro boss revealed exactly why he wouldn’t be pursuing the signature of the Man City man.

He said: “I think the problem with signing Patrick is that we’d have to sign two defensive full-backs and I have more priorities.

“I’d like to sign full-backs and I’d like to sign Patrick but I have to sort of juggle what I’ve got, what I can spend, what the chances are and at the moment it’s not a priority to sign a wide player who can play there.” 

Boro began their Championship campaign with a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Watford on Friday evening.

Attention has quickly turned to the League Cup, with Boro back in action this evening against Barnsley. Then, focus is back on the first league points of the season, with Bournemouth visiting Teesside on Saturday.

The Verdict

It’s a tough window to deal in, as Warnock is finding out at Boro.

He needs more firepower at this stage and it’s easy to understand why someone like Roberts isn’t really a priority at this moment in time.

Watching how Warnock manoeuvres the window from here will be interesting.

Thoughts? Let us know!