MIDDLESBROUGH last night revealed they have no wish to lose midfielder Dean Windass on a permanent basis.

The 32-year-old is expected to sign for Sheffield Wednesday today on a one-month loan, but Boro have indicated a temporary switch is the only move on offer.

Assistant manager at the Riverside Bill Beswick said: "The manager felt Dean wasn't playing enough to keep the edge on his game and we think he will benefit from a new environment.

"Hopefully he'll play a few first team games and come back brighter having benefited from a month of playing."

Windass has made 22 appearances for Boro since signing from Bradford in March.

But the competitive former Hull City and Aberdeen star has not started a game under McClaren since the 2-1 win at Leicester City on September 17.

The switch to the Owls follows continuous links with clubs aiming to take him away from the North-East. First he was rumoured to be on his way to Leicester when Dave Bassett took over from Peter Taylor at Filbert Street. Then Windass was linked with a return back to Bradford, and more recently it was understood he was wanted to bolster West Brom's promotion push.

All of which failed to materialise and now he looks set to finally depart Boro in a bid to regain his match fitness - he should make his debut at Hillsborough against Millwall on Saturday.

Windass admitted: "I've spoken to Terry and I didn't even have to think about making the move. They are still a big club. Everyone knows they've under-achieved in the last three or four years.

"But they've beaten Aston Villa in the Worthington Cup, and they can't be a bad side if they've achieved that."

Beswick also acted quickly to erase fears McClaren could be making a return to Manchester United in the summer as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor.

McClaren, a former United No 2, has been installed as third favourite to take over at Old Trafford when Ferguson steps down at the end of the current campaign.

But Beswick told the club's website: "Guessing who is the next United manager is certain to be a recurring story. As one of the country's top coaches and a success at United, Steve is bound to be mentioned."

McClaren has taken Carlisle's John Hore on a week's trial. The 19-year-old midfielder joins Scandinavian Morten Gamst Pedersen at the club's Rockliffe training headquarters.

*Boro Reserves claimed a well earned point in a 0-0 draw in last night's Premiership Reserve clash at Manchester City.

Both sides fielded experienced line-ups, with Hamilton Ricard spurning two early chances to give Boro the lead.

Paul Ince also started for Boro and in the end both sides settled for a point in front of their respective watching managers.

Boro: Beresford, Close, Murphy, Wilson, Festa (Gulliver), Gavin, Wilkshire, Ince (Downing), Ricard, Whelan (Campbell), Hudson. Subs (not used) Jones, Bernhardt.

Read more about the Boro here.