Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick has revealed forward Ben Doak, the subject of a rebuffed Town bid earlier in the transfer window, cannot now be recalled for sale by parent club Liverpool, a deadline having passed.
A fortnight ago, the Blues made a £16 million offer for the 19-year-old Scotland international, Crystal Palace also having had bid turned down.
Town’s interest was almost certainly already at an end having brought in Jaden Philogene from Aston Villa and with the loan addition of Brighton’s Julio Enciso set to be completed tomorrow.
"The deadline has passed for Ben,” Carrick told the Northern Echo following the 2-0 home victory over Tony Mowbray’s West Brom this evening in which Doak scored the second goal, his third of his spell.
"I said along I was calm! Obviously we’re really happy he’s here, but genuinely, it hasn’t been a big thing for us.”
Reflecting on Doak’s display this evening in a game in which Boro were forced to play without on-loan Blues defender George Edmundson following his recall by Town, Carrick added: "He showed again tonight how dangerous he is and then scored a terrific goal.
"It’s something he can do a little bit more, come inside onto his left foot, because it’s something he’s good at as well. I’m delighted with it.
"He’s got that weapon and unique threat. The way he plays the game, everyone has their own strengths, but the way Ben plays the game, he’s always in the game and always a threat.
"We’re obviously happy he’ll be staying here. He’s a big role and he’ll continue to do that for the time that he’s here.”
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