Tony Mowbray described it as 'important' that Middlesbrough will be keeping Ben Doak for the rest of the season, having seen plenty of the wing wizard this term.

Liverpool had a recall clause in the loan deal with Boro that would have allowed them to bring him back this month, with plenty of talk of a potential sale to another Premier League club. However, Liverpool set a high asking price for the 19-year-old and ultimately preferred to keep Doak at Boro until the end of the season, with the deadline for a recall now passed.

He scored his third goal of the season on Tuesday night to help Boro beat Mowbray's West Brom 2-0 in the Boro legend's first game in charge of the Baggies. And having watched plenty of Boro in the first half of the season while on a break from management to complete bowel cancer treatment, Mowbray is well aware of how 'special' the Scotland international is.

READ MORE: Middlesbrough sign non-league starlet compared to Kobbie Mainoo and N'Golo Kante

READ MORE: Why Ryan Giles will be an important transfer for Middlesbrough if they can agree a reunion

Asked about Doak and his influence for Boro in the Championship top-six race, Mowbray said: “I'm sure every club looks at them [Premier League loans]. We could never afford the salaries of the players that you've mentioned [Amad Diallo and Harvey Elliott]. Going out to play week in, week out where a manager encourages young players, there are huge benefits.

“What is Ben Doak worth now? What was he worth before he came here and what's he worth now? It's a huge credit to the football club that he's been given the licence to go and do what he does. He scored a great goal tonight. Every game I've watched he's probably been their most productive player.

“All the goals that get scored where he skins the full-back and cuts it back and somebody rams it in, or he scores himself. He scored at the back stick against Sheffield Wednesday. He's a special talent. He's a good footballer. It's an important one that Middlesbrough keep him.

“For the kid, I'm sure he and his advisor are thinking: Is Mo Salah going off to where Mo Salah might be going? He plays in the same position. Is he going to take Mo Salah's place at Liverpool or are Liverpool going to take £20 or £30m for him from a Brighton or a Crystal Palace or whoever? And they go in for a world star somewhere else. We'll just have to wait and see, but the kid is a very talented individual.”