Boro block Ehiogu loan to West Bromwich

The Middlesbrough defender Ugo Ehiogu will not be allowed to move to West Bromwich on loan. Albion want to recruit the 33-year-old until the end of the season, but the Teessiders are believed to be ready to agree only a permanent move.

Steve McClaren, the Middlesbrough manager, had aborted the former England international's transfer when it was feared that Middlesbrough's captain. Gareth Southgate, could be out for up to three months with an ankle injury. But he relented last week when scans showed that Southgate's injury was not as serious as was first thought. "Everything has been agreed from our end. It's up to West Brom to complete the deal," he said.

McClaren admitted that there had been no progress on the transfer front, with the future of goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, who is on the list at his own request, still uncertain.