Downbeat Mac recalls Davies

Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren has recalled defender Andrew Davies from his loan spell at Derby because he cannot sign any new players.

Financially McClaren's hands have been tied and that prevented him from landing Czech defender Martin Latka - who has subsequently signed for Birmingham, despite spending last week on trial with Boro.

"Martin Latka was one," he admitted.

"We had him on trial for a couple of days and he did ever so well. We wanted to sign him, but I'm unable to do that."

With injury doubts over Ugo Ehiogu and Chris Riggott ahead of Tuesday's Wear-Tees derby clash with Sunderland, Davies has been told to return to The Riverside.

McClaren is unhappy about not being able to sign any players - something which has never previously been a problem during his tenure at Boro.

"I can't bring anybody in," he said.

"No-one will be coming in. I have just been instructed today that we can't bring any players in, be it on loan until the end of the season or anything.

"That's disappointing, but we get on with it. It's frustrating because we have got 10 injuries and the squad is depleted, we have got FA Cup replays, we have got Europe coming up, we have got plenty to play for.

"We need to get out of the trouble we are in in the Premier League.

"I said we needed help, I said we needed more players to improve the squad while these injuries clear up and come back. But it's not possible for whatever reason."