Middlesbrough have given themselves a golden opportunity to return to the Premier League and decisions they make in the next few weeks could be pivotal
Brian Dick Reach Football Correspondent
11:15, 06 Jan 2026Updated 11:16, 06 Jan 2026
Louie Barry, who is on loan at Sheffield United from Aston Villa, is on Heimir Hallgrimsson's Ireland radar
Louie Barry is back at Aston Villa(Image: @Getty )
Middlesbrough have made a superb start to the season and given themselves an opportunity to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2017.
Second spot, two points ahead of Ipswich Town and potentially closing in on runaway leaders Coventry City after a 4-0 win over Southampton, there is plenty to play for in the second half of the campaign.
However, that much-needed win came against a backdrop of four without victory and proof that Boro could do with some help in key positions.
Once again the loan market could be a useful source of reinforcements and there’s plenty of Premier League talent learning their craft in the School of Hard Knocks.
Indeed some, like Sverre Nypan, have found it tough going and they could find themselves recalled by their parent clubs and reallocated to more favourable situations.
Here’s a few youngsters who could be on the move this month.
Lewis Koumas (winger, Birmingham City on loan from Liverpool)
Having had one Championship spell with Stoke last season, Liverpool sent Koumas to Birmingham hoping he’d kick on and establish himself as a regular starter. It hasn’t happened.
Indeed the 20-year-old, son of former Wales play-maker Jason, has started just five league games and went half a season before breaking his duck, with a neat finish in the 3-2 win over Coventry.
He’s benefitting from Demarai Gray’s injury but will surely go back to a bit-part role once the Jamaica international returns – there’s even been talk he could be recalled by Liverpool.
Toby Collyer (midfielder, West Brom on loan from Manchester United)
The 22-year-old has already been recalled by United with injury curtailing his prospects at The Hawthorns. He made 12 appearances but only three starts and his last one was ended by injury in November.
With all the turmoil around United at the moment the midfielder could be kept around the squad, or once he is fit towards the end of January, sent back on loan to try again in the Championship.
Speaking about the youngster 12 months ago Bruno Fernandes said: ‘He’s a really good kid who wants to learn. He’s eager to learn, he’s eager to listen. He has big, big qualities – he’s aggressive off the ball, he’s aggressive running with the ball, he’s class in tight spaces.”
Divin Mubama (striker, Stoke City on loan from Manchester City)
The centre forward has shown flashes of his ability under Mark Robins but often ends games having not made much of an impression. A fast start with two goals in his first two Championship matches, he has now gone 11 games without scoring since plundering a hat-trick against Bristol City.
He was subbed off at half time at Norwich City at the weekend, has been booed by Stoke fans and at 21-years-old has some way to prove himself as a second tier striker.
Stoke would need to find a replacement before even considering asking about cutting the loan short – but it’s something they could well be thinking about.
Eiran Cashin (centre back, Birmingham City, on loan from Brighton)
The former Derby County defender had a nightmare start to his Blues career with a series of errors that led to defeats. That saw him spend months on the sidelines and only as injuries and suspension have bit deep has he come back into the picture.
However, only three Championship starts in not the return on investment either Blues or Brighton were looking for and he is expected to go back, albeit briefly, to The Amex. He has already been linked with Blackburn Rovers.
Has played centre back this season, even a little left back but looks far more comfortable on the left of a three.
Tyler Bindon (centre back, Sheffield United on loan from Nottingham Forest)
Bindon joined Forest from Reading a year ago, stayed with the Royals until the end of last season and was loaned to the Blades for his first taste of Championship action in July.
The New Zealand international has made nine starts in what has been a disrupted first half of the campaign for the Bramall Lane outfit – and he was struggling for game-time.
However, injuries to Mark McGuinness and Ben Mee opened the door and the 20-year-old has started the last four matches and what seemed like a clear case of loan termination now looks a bit more nuanced.
Chris Wilder said ‘everything’s on the table’ when asked about Bindon’s future before Christmas – which is potentially positive for Bindon given the fact the United manager has already confirmed Louie Barry and Ben Godfrey will definitely leave after half-a-season.
Louie Barry (winger, Sheffield United, on loan from Aston Villa)
The exciting 22-year-old built on a brilliant season on loan with Stockport County in League One with a stellar pre-season campaign for the Blades.
However, opportunities dried up and an injury means he has not played since October, with Wilder confirming his return to Villa.
He is unlikely to break into Unai Emery’s Champions League qualifying chasers and once he has returned to fitness could either be sent back out on loan or sold permanently.
Stoke City have already been linked. At his best he is a direct and potent left-sided attacker but one who must prove himself at Championship level. He spent time in the Barcelona academy after leaving West Brom.
Harry Amass (left wing back, Sheffield Wednesday on loan from Manchester United)
Amass is having a superb season with the embattled Owls, starting 21 times after joining on deadline day from Man United. Recent reports have suggested United weren’t intending to recall the 18-year-old – but Ruben Amorim's departure might have changed that.
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The same reports even claimed he was considering an option to join Stoke as they look to reinforce their full back options limited by injuries.
Losing the England Under-19 would be a hammer blow to the Owls but Henrik Pedersen has not given up hope, saying at the weekend: “We don't have any conclusion yet, but I believe that we can find a solution for him, and there is a good dialogue between the clubs.”
Boro have had left-back injury issues of their own and Amass could be viewed as a good option.