Middlesbrough FC news and transfer rumours: Neil Warnock explains Stephen Walker move plus uncertainty over Bristol City striker

Walker helped The Alex win promotion from League Two last year as the campaign was cut short and decided on a points-per-game system.

The striker spent the first half of this season on loan at MK Dons but was recalled by Boro so he could gain more regular game time.

Speaking to Crewe’s website, Walker said: “I’m very excited, it’s another challenge for me and I’m ready to go.

“I’m always trying to prove myself to everyone and the way we finished last season wasn’t the way we wanted it to end but we ended up going up.

“Now we are in League One and it’s very positive and we are making a very good challenge of it.

“I feel like the more games I play the better I get, the more experience. I’m just trying to improve myself as a player and improve every single day so playing games is only going to help me in that aspect.”

When asked about Walker ahead of Boro’s game at Blackburn this weekend, Neil Warnock said: “I think he just has to play games, Stephen. He wasn’t going to be involved in our first team so it’s better for him to get some games.”

Diedhiou uncertainty continues

Boro have been linked with a move for Bristol City striker Famara Diedhiou this month, with the player’s contract set to expire at the end of the season.

The Robins want to keep the 28-year-old, their top scorer in the last two seasons, but negotiations are proving tricky.

City were beaten 2-0 by Norwich last time out, a game which was televised on Sky Sports.

During the game, Sky commentator Gary Weaver said he'd recently spoken with Robins chief executive Mark Ashton about Diedhiou.

"I was speaking to the Bristol City chief executive officer Mark Ashton today who told me that they'd made a number of offers to Famara Diedhiou,” said Weaver.

"Nothing's agreed yet. The situation is fluid but they're prepared to let him run down his contract and potentially leave for free in the summer - that's what Mark Ashton's been told by the owners.

"They can let that happen. If it does happen, then (they) will get the value out of him on the pitch for the rest of the season.

"That's the way that it stands at the moment."

Mejias departs

Finally, goalkeeper Tomas Mejias has officially left Boro after his contract was cancelled by mutual consent.

The stopper spent the first half of the season on loan at Romanian side Dinamo Bucharest and has now signed for Turkish second division club Ankaraspor.

The 31-year-old made two appearances after re-signing for the Teessiders in 2019, both against Tottenham in last season’s FA Cup.

Mejias made 17 appearances for Boro during his first spell at the club after he was signed by Aitor Karanka in 2014.

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