Liverpool's Downing to consider Middlesbrough return

Liverpool winger Stewart Downing would consider a return to first club Middlesbrough to play a part in their promotion push.

It's understood Downing, who has had few first-team opportunities under Brendan Rodgers, would not be averse to a loan move back to the Riverside Stadium.

Liverpool seem likely to attempt to offload the 28-year-old, who joined the Reds in a £20million switch from Aston Villa in July last year, in January with Rodgers keen to address his lack of strike-power.