MICHAEL Carrick insists he has "no reason to believe" Morgan Rogers won't be a Middlesbrough player at the end of the January transfer window amid Aston Villa's ongoing interest in the forward.
Rogers scored a fine goal for Boro in their 6-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night as Carrick's side saw their Carabao Cup run brought to a painful end against Chelsea.
With Saturday's scheduled game against Birmingham City postponed because Tony Mowbray's side are in FA Cup action, Boro don't play again until Sunderland visit the Riverside a week on Sunday - by which stage the January window will have closed.
READ MORE:
- Chelsea 6-1 Middlesbrough: Painful night at the end of a memorable Boro journey
- One Middlesbrough player impresses - but a host of low marks in Chelsea hammering
Asked whether he still believes Rogers will be a Boro player at that stage, Carrick said: "You'll keep reading a lot of things at this time of year, don't read too much into it to be honest.
"He's our player at the minute so I have no reason to believe anything otherwise."
Villa are said to have identified Rogers as their top January target and had two bids for the 21-year-old knocked back this week.
The Premier League side are expected to return with an improved bid, though Boro will stand firm until their valuation is met. Rogers has three-and-a-half years to run on his contract.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel