What Middlesbrough boss Jonathan Woodgate said about Burnley defender Ben Gibson

The 27-year-old defender left the Riverside to join Premier League side Burnley 18 months ago but has made just one league appearance since the move.

Several clubs have been credited with interest in Gibson who came through Boro’s academy and helped the club win Championship promotion in 2016.

A return to the Riverside has been mentioned, with the Mirror reporting the Teessiders will take Gibson back if they reach an agreement over wages.

Burnley are also said to be lining up another bid for Boro defender Dael Fry, while the Sun have claimed a swap deal may be possible.

Gibson, who is the nephew of Boro chairman Steve Gibson, was reportedly at Rockliffe last week, which inevitably led to speculation about the defender’s future.

Following Friday’s 1-0 defeat at Fulham, Jonathan Woodgate was asked about Gibson during an interview with BBC Tees.

"His uncle is the chairman, it's his, he can come in whenever he wants,” said Woodgate.

"It's the chairman's nephew, its nothing to do with me."

The Boro boss was then asked if he'd like to re-sign Gibson if a deal was possible, to which he replied: "There's two more weeks to go, let's see what happens.”

Woodgate did confirm Boro are looking to make one or two more signings this month.