Hull City defender Ryan Giles could yet leave the club before the end of the January transfer window, with Middlesbrough plotting to test the Tigers' resolve once more.

Giles was the subject of strong interest from Boro in the summer, with the Teesside outfit having extensive discussions with City about doing a deal for the left-back, as Hull Live reported throughout the off season - the marauding left-back confirmed those discussions had taken place when giving an honest assessment of his situation after the 4-0 loss at Norwich City in October.

That interest from Michael Carrick has never gone away and it's understood Boro will lodge a firm bid for the 24-year-old to try and bring him back to Teesside before the winter window closes.

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City were reluctant to sanction Giles' exit in the summer, having only signed him on a permanent deal from Luton Town at the start of pre-season, particularly given the optics surrounding their much-maligned summer business. That £4m deal was an obligation to buy under the terms of the loan agreement, which brought the ex-Wolves youngster to the MKM Stadium last January.

The deal with Boro did not get done then, but there's a growing expectation at both clubs that Giles will now make a return to the North East, where he enjoyed a successful loan spell two seasons ago, helping Carrick's men get to the play-off semi-final.

Giles, who has always been honest about his situation at City, has not reached the heights he did at Boro, where he notched an impressive 12 assists to help them come close to a Wembley final, only to be beaten 1-0 by Coventry City over two legs.

The defender was taken off just after the hour in Sunday's FA Cup defeat to Doncaster Rovers, just after he was caught sleeping by Luke Molyneux, who took the ball away from him before slotting in the opening goal. Boss Ruben Selles replaced him with skipper Lewie Coyle, and admitted after the game the change was purely tactical.

With Giles expected to depart, the Tigers are casting their net wide in the search for a replacement with Celtic's Greg Taylor on their list of potential new arrivals, while it's hoped Matty Jacob will be fit to return to the squad for Saturday's trip to Millwall.