Transfer gossip (Thurs, March 3): Tigers defender eyes new deal - Blades loanee could be recalled by Boro

The 30-year-old centre-back has been at the KC Stadium since joining from Birmingham City in 2013 and is out of contract at the end of season with Premier League Bournemouth rumoured to be one of many clubs currently tracking the player.

Steve Bruce has reportedly tabled a new two-and-a-half-year deal to keep Davies at the club with the experienced defender likely to have a significant pay rise on his current £25,000-a-week deal if the Tigers can achieve promotion back to the top flight.

Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka has hinted that Alex Baptiste could play for the club before the end of the season.

The 30-year-old defender joined Sheffield United on a 93-day emergency loan but Middlesbrough do have the option to recall him after 28 days.

Karanka hopes Baptiste, who broke his leg in pre-season shortly after joining from Bolton Wanderers last year, can regain match fitness and confidence in League One.

Karanka said: “Alex is a lad who deserves everything and training with us was difficult to have a chance because he needs to play games.

“It could be possible for him to play with us in the final games of the season,” he added.

The Blades are hopeful of bringing in two more players during the emergency loan window with reports suggesting 19-year-old Liverpool winger Ryan Kent is a target for manager Nigel Adkins.

Kent played 17 times while on loan with Coventry City earlier this season with his performances earning him a call up to England’s Under-20 squad.