Middlesbrough stance as Josh Coburn Millwall loan clause revealed ahead of January
Middlesbrough have a recall clause attached to Josh Coburn's Millwall loan deal, though they are not planning to use it as it stands.
Millwall director of football Steve Gallen revealed the clause last week as he discussed plans for the January transfer window. Coburn is one of three loanees at the Den this season, and Gallen admits they have to keep that in mind when planning for January.
Gallen told South London News: “You look at whether there are any gaps in our squad right now? I think generally at the end of the window we pretty much covered everything, in terms of if someone goes down then is there a replacement?
“We have to recognise that the three loan players we brought in could – potentially – go back in January, which means we might have to cover that. But also we have got some loans out as well that could potentially come back in and cover us there. On the whole, in terms of the squad and the squad balance, I was really pleased with how it all ended.
“It gives us a few months’ breathing space where we can focus on the football – the manager can focus on the team and the players. But, of course, we are already looking at January, where we could potentially improve the team or lose someone back to their parent club.”
However, as things stand, Boro would have no plans to recall Coburn, who is currently working his way back to fitness after suffering a calf injury in just his second appearance for the Lions. Boro's squad is currently at its maximum quota of 25, with Coburn this year passing the threshold of the under-21 limit that means he doesn't have to be registered.
Ultimately, Boro loaned the striker to Millwall because they wanted him to challenge to play regular Championship football after their own summer recruitment drive saw him fall down the pecking order. After injury struggles last term, they're hoping the loan spell can help accustom his body to better deal with the physical requirements of playing regular senior football.
On top of that, Boro made the deal with Millwall in good faith and were really pleased with how negotiations between the two clubs went. With that in mind, unless they absolutely had to, they wouldn't want to go back on that deal.
Ultimately, only a completely unplanned event, such as a long-term injury or an unexpected exit (for which the club's stance remains unchanged from the summer), would potentially change their plans. But even in such circumstances, the transfer window will be open for Boro to explore other options, with Coburn ultimately sent out on loan this season for a reason.
The Teesside striker enjoyed an excellent start at Millwall, scoring on his debut just 24 hours after joining the club. That helped Neil Harris's side to their first win of the season against Sheffield Wednesday but he would suffer his injury just 32 minutes into his second appearance.
Now working his way back to fitness, an update from Southwark News says that the 21-year-old has been back in the gym this week as he steps up his attempts to return to fitness. Harris said recently he hopes Coburn will be one of a number of players pushing to be back before the next international break.