Middlesbrough have an extra comfort blanket with regard to a potential Ben Doak recall this month, with a deadline on the recall clause in Liverpool's favour falling before the end of the transfer window.

While the exact date of the recall deadline is not known, it is before the transfer deadline on February 3, which means that even if Liverpool do recall the winger, Boro will have ample time to replace him.

Doak has been a key player for Boro this season and there has been work done to identify potential replacements should that be required. However, as things stand, it appears positive for Boro that the 19-year-old could remain at the Riverside until the end of the season.

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Though there has been considerable interest from Premier League clubs, Liverpool have stood firm in their £30 million valuation of the wide man, which has put suitors off this month. Talk of a potential swap deal with Antoine Semenyo was played down by Bournemouth.

Revealing the recall clause deadline, Boro boss Michael Carrick said: “There is a cut-off point (with the Doak loan). There’s something in place that means it’s not to the end of the window with Ben, it’s not something that will run until then.

“It doesn’t go up to that point. A lot of loans have that kind of arrangement in place, and it’s something that is there. There’s nothing changing with that situation, genuinely. There’s nothing changed there, and we’re pretty calm about things.”