Burnley boss Sean Dyche quizzed on January interest in Middlesbrough defender

The 22-year-old centre-back is a January target for Premier League Burnley, though Boro look set to keep hold of the in-demand defender this month.

It comes as Boro are keen on bringing Burnley defender Ben Gibson back to the Riverside in a loan deal until the end of the season.

Dyche was also keeping tight-lipped about the future of Gibson, who is also of interest to other Championship clubs.

On interest in Fry, Dyche said: “Every manager is linked with every player, even more so now.”

Championship rivals Fulham and Huddersfield have also been linked with a move for Gibson this month.

Dyche, however, was giving little away when he was quizzed on Burnley’s January plans by the press.

Quizzed if there has been any loan bids, he added: "We have had various inquiries for various players of all levels."

Gibson, did however, win praise from Dyche for his professional attitude: “Players want to play. We have other players here who haven’t played as much as they like to play but that is the challenge of being at a football club.

"You sign for a club to work hard, and he certainly does work hard and that is part of what it is.

"It is not an easy task if other players have been playing well which I think the centre halves here have done very well so that is the challenge, to try and find the chance to go and play."

Boro have been busy this month but are still on the lookout for further reinforcements, Dyche, however, is under no pressure to move players on.

He added: “Nothing has changed from what I have said previously. We are not under any pressure at all in terms of players going out.

"It will be a decision that we make rather than having to make. That is a much stronger position to be in."