Middlesbrough's loan hits and misses - and what might happen to them next

FERNANDO AMOREBIETA

(From Fulham, 1 game + 2 subs)

Having only signed in March, 30-year-old Amorebieta has had limited time to make much of an impression in a Middlesbrough shirt.

He made his only start in the 2-0 defeat at Watford, and while he was not directly at fault for either of the goals at Vicarage Road, his performance at the heart of the back four contained signs of rung rust.

Signed as a stop-gap to cover for defensive injuries, he will not be returning to the Riverside next season. Given that he is unlikely to be a regular at Fulham either, he may seek to return to his native Spain.

PATRICK BAMFORD

(From Chelsea, 34 games + 7 subs, 19 goals)

As arguably the most important player in the entire Middlesbrough squad, Bamford’s season-long loan from Chelsea has been an unqualified success for all concerned.

The striker’s performances have been a key factor in Boro’s promotion campaign, with his 17 Championship goals seeing him win the league’s Player of the Year award last weekend. Tellingly, he has been a near permanent fixture in the starting line-up in the second half of the season.

His future is the subject of heated discussion, and while Boro would love to re-sign him if they are promoted, there is a chance Jose Mourinho could thrust him into Chelsea’s first-team squad.

JAMAL BLACKMAN

(From Chelsea, 1 game)

Loaned from Stamford Bridge for the first half of the season, Blackman’s temporary switch was not extended in January and he currently finds himself back in Chelsea’s development group.

His only appearance in a Boro shirt was a memorable one though, as he played in the Capital One Cup third-round game at Liverpool that eventually ended in the Teessiders losing on penalties.

Given that he is only 21, he is likely to be back out on loan again next season, although the chances of him returning to the Riverside are extremely slim.

RYAN FREDERICKS

(From Tottenham, 17 games + 1 sub)

Fredericks’ temporary switch from Tottenham has been an injury-hit affair, with some eye-catching performances at right-back punctuated by a series of lengthy spells on the sidelines.

When he has played, he has displayed real potential, with his rampaging runs down the flank adding an extra attacking dimension to Boro’s play. But hamstring and thigh injuries have dented his impact and seen him fall behind Tomas Kalas in the pecking order.

With Kalas unavailable, he could well start the final two games of the season, but for all his promise, it is hard to imagine him forcing his way into Spurs’ first-team group next term.

TOMAS KALAS

(From Chelsea, 16 games + 1 sub)

When Kalas moved to Teesside in January, it was envisaged his game time would be limited. Ryan Fredericks was Boro’s first-choice full-back, and Kalas had just spent six months at Cologne without playing.

However, the versatile defender quickly emerged as a key part of Boro’s back four, with his performances at right-back and centre-half helping sustain the club’s promotion push in the second half of the season.

His loan came to an end last Friday, but he has already spelled out his desire to return to the Riverside next season, and no matter what league his side are playing in, Aitor Karanka is likely to take him up on his offer.

KENNETH OMERUO

(From Chelsea, 20 games +2 subs)

Of all Boro’s loan signings, Omeruo has turned out to be the most disappointing. Last season, the Chelsea defender was one of the most impressive players in the Boro squad. This time around, he has been unable to hold down a place in the team.

He began the season reasonably strongly, and started the majority of games in the first three months of the campaign, but he has only made four Championship starts since the turn of the year as Karanka appears to have lost faith in him.

He will return to Chelsea with his career having stalled somewhat. He looks a long way short of what is needed for the Premier League leaders’ first team, but will not be offered a third spell with Boro.

DWIGHT TIENDALLI

(From Swansea, 1 game)

Like Amorebieta, Tiendalli has only had a month or so in which to stake a claim for a place in the Boro side, but the Swansea full-back has been even more peripheral than his fellow late-season loanee.

He started last month’s 2-0 defeat at Watford, but was withdrawn shortly after the hour mark after he struggled to keep tabs on lively winger Ikechi Anya.

He has not been seen since, and has not even made the bench for the last three games. His Swansea career has stalled significantly, and he might well have to leave the Liberty Stadium permanently this summer to get things back on track.

MILOS VELJKOVIC

(From Tottenham, 1 game + 3 subs)

Veljkovic spent three months on Teesside after moving from Spurs in October, but his impact in central midfield was limited and his stay was not extended when it expired in mid-January.

His sole start came in December’s goalless draw with Blackburn, and while Karanka appeared to value his versatility, the Boro head coach opted to sign Adam Forshaw rather than bring the Serbian back to the Riverside.

Still only 19, Veljkovic remains some way from Spurs’ first team, so another loan next season looks likely. One of Boro’s current Championship rivals are likely to take him.

JELLE VOSSEN

(From Genk, 21 games + 14 subs, 8 goals)

Vossen only signed on loan when he moved from Genk last summer, although Boro have already agreed a permanent deal which they will have to decide whether or not to trigger in the close season.

The Belgian has proved himself a more than useful acquisition, although his tally of eight goals is not as high as might have been anticipated at the start of the season. In fairness to Vossen, though, a number of his appearances have seen him playing either out wide or in the hole.

The fee agreed with Genk is understood to be around £4m, and publicly at least, Karanka claims it is impossible to make a decision until he knows what division Boro will be playing in next season. Provided they go up, expect Vossen to be on board.