ST MIRREN want to re-sign Middlesbrough's Zach Hemming after an impressive loan spell in Scotland, but boss Stephen Robinson expects the goalkeeper to be in-demand if Boro decide to sanction another move this summer.

Hemming has played every league minute and been a star for the Buddies since joining on loan from Boro last summer, having previously impressed in Scotland with Kilmarnock.

St Mirren lost Northern Irish international goalkeeper Trevor Carson to Premiership rivals Dundee, but Hemming has stepped in and filled the void.

The 24-year-old will return to Boro in the summer, where he has two years left on his current contract. Michael Carrick and the club's recruitment team have goalkeeper decisions to make in the coming months, with Sol Brynn having already returned after another impressive loan spell, this time at Leyton Orient.

Boro are well stocked between the posts, with Seny Dieng enjoying an impressive first season on Teesside and Australia international Tom Glover also in the ranks, though both senior goalkeepers have been linked with moves away this summer.

St Mirren don't yet know Boro's plans for Hemming but have asked to be kept updated.

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“We’ve been in constant dialogue with Middlesbrough,” boss Robinson told the Daily Record.

“My head of recruitment Martin Foyle, who has been fantastic for me, is in constant dialogue with all the players who we’re trying to get back.

“We’d love to have Zach back again. That might not be an early decision. Middlesbrough might want him back in pre-season. He’ll have a lot of people looking at him.

“With loan players you’re dictated to by the parent club and so at the moment we’re not in control of that. So, we have to look at other options which we are doing.

“Following Trevor – who is an international goalkeeper, a fantastic one, and a great boy – it shows the level Zach is that he’s come in and done as well as Trevor.

“Nobody has mentioned the fact Trevor left because Zach’s been that good. We’re confident in our recruitment and what we do. We just try to do it more efficiently than everyone else."

St Mirren are fifth in the Scottish Premiership and will quality for the Europa Conference League tonight if Dundee fail to beat Rangers. They play Hearts tomorrow before a final day trip to Celtic this weekend.