Doncaster Rovers defender George Friend is reported to be undergoing a medical at Middlesbrough. The 24-year-old had been expected to join the Teessiders earlier in the week after the clubs agreed a £250,000 fee but he pulled out of the move at the last minute and was believed to favour a switch to Portman Road instead.
However, the centre-half or left-back appears to have had another change of heart and Boro once again appears to be his destination.
Nottingham Forest, managed by Friend’s former Rovers boss Sean O’Driscoll, were also believed to be targeting the one-time Exeter man.
Meanwhile, Blues chief executive Simon Clegg has reiterated manager Paul Jewell's comments regarding his Aston Villa opposite number Paul Faulkner's enquiry regarding left-back Aaron Cresswell: "I certainly discouraged him, but I do recognise that every player has a price and if they offer us more money than we consider he is worth, then it is something we might have to look at. We are a long way from that stage at this moment in time though.”