Neil Warnock's message to Manchester City loanee Patrick Roberts as Middlesbrough boss explains transfer situation

Roberts signed for Boro on a season-long loan from City in October but has made just three league starts for the Teessiders this campaign.

The agreement can only be cut short if all parties agree, yet Boro’s thin squad means the 23-year-old is unlikely to leave the Riverside this month.

"I don't think anybody will be going anywhere,” said Warnock when asked about Roberts. “We've had no enquiries for him, I don't think his agent has, I don't think Manchester City have,

"He has to knuckle down and do his best. I thought he looked quite bright when he came on on Sunday. He just tried to do the unbelievable pass every time.

“He has to just calm down a little bit and keep possession a bit more Patrick, there's no doubting his ability.”

Warnock has previously suggested Roberts needs to do more in training to earn a regular starting spot at Boro.

When asked if he’s seen a reaction from the player at Rockliffe, Warnock replied: “Some days, yeah, some days no. I think it depends how he wakes up.

"But it's not just Patrick, it's the world in general. How do you feel some days when you wake up?

"With the pandemic it's a horrible time at the moment. I haven't had a chance to talk to him about where he's living, they might be on their own some of these lads.”

When Roberts has played this season, he’s operated in the No 10 position rather than out wide.

Asked where he feels Roberts’ best position is, Warnock added: “A lot depends on the opponents really, who we’re playing against, but I wouldn’t put him in front of Duncan (Watmore) at the minute in the No 10 role.

“I’m sure if we get many more injuries he’s got to come into the reckoning Patrick because he has got so much to offer.

“It’s another one of those, I think I said it about Djed Spence, how far do they want to go. They’ve got the ability, can they do it week in week out.”

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