MIDDLESBROUGH’S hopes of re-signing Patrick Bamford are set to be dashed by Chelsea boss Gus Hiddink’s growing desire to keep the striker at Stamford Bridge.

Bamford cut short his loan spell at Crystal Palace last month, leading Boro officials to investigate the possibility of taking him back to the Riverside, where he scored 19 goals in all competitions last season.

Aitor Karanka has admitted “the door is always open” to the 22-year-old, who is determined to get his career back on track after a wasted six months at Selhurst Park.

It had initially been anticipated that Bamford would be leaving Chelsea on another loan deal in the second half of the season, and while Bournemouth and Norwich City had also expressed an interest, Boro appeared well placed to land the striker for a second time.

However, the situation has changed, with Hiddink now keen to give Bamford a chance to compete for a place in Chelsea’s first-team squad.

The Chelsea boss has watched the England Under-21 international on the training ground in the last week or so, and is understood to have been impressed by his attitude and energy.

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With Loic Remy’s future increasingly uncertain and Radamel Falcao having struggled since moving on loan from Monaco in the summer, Hiddink is short of alternatives to first-choice forward Diego Costa.

As a result, he is expected to retain Bamford and could even name the youngster in his squad for Sunday’s FA Cup third-round tie with Scunthorpe United.

Bamford has always wanted an opportunity to prove himself with Chelsea, and while he would be reluctant to spend the second half of the season kicking his heels on the sidelines, sources close to the striker claim he would jump at the chance to stake a claim for a more prominent role with the reigning Premier League champions.

That would leave Middlesbrough looking elsewhere for an attacking reinforcement, but having briefly considered a new move for Fulham striker Ross McCormack, the Teessiders appear to have concluded that the 29-year-old does not represent good value during the current transfer window.

Despite being the subject of a transfer embargo, the Fulham hierarchy are adamant they will not accept less than £12m for McCormack, who has scored 15 Championship goals this season.

Boro tried to sign the Scotland international for £2.5m when they first expressed an interest under Tony Mowbray in 2013, and while there is an acceptance his value has increased markedly since the early days of his career with Leeds United, there is an understandable reluctance to shell out an eight-figure fee for a player approaching his 30th birthday.

Boro officials will continue to monitor McCormack’s position at Craven Cottage, but Fulham would have to lower their asking price considerably if a deal was to be agreed this month.

Similarly, while Boro’s recruitment team have continued to watch Blackburn striker Jordan Rhodes at regular intervals this season, the club will not be paying over the odds to recruit the Scotsman.

Derby County tied up the £3m capture of former Reading striker Nick Blackman yesterday morning, but Boro chairman Steve Gibson is adamant he will not be drawn into a transfer scramble this month.

The Teessiders are expected to sign one or two midfielders to plug the gaps left by Bruno Zuculini and Jack Stephens, but they could be inexpensive loan deals rather than permanent additions.

There is a willingness to shell out a significant sum if the right attacking player becomes available, but with Boro currently four points clear at the top of the Championship, patience will be the byword rather than panic.

There could be a couple of departures before the end of the month, with Wigan boss Gary Caldwell close to completing a permanent deal for Yanic Wildschut.

Wildschut impressed while on loan at Wigan in the first half of the season, and while he has returned to the Riverside, Boro are willing to move him on, with his contract due to expire in the summer.

That would suit Wigan, and the League One club are close to agreeing a deal that could eventually be worth up to £1m to Middlesbrough.

“The fans have seen the excitement he brings to the team,” said Caldwell. “We’ve helped his career. I don’t think it was going anywhere at Middlesbrough, and we gave him a home, an opportunity to show his talent.

“He did it in a great way, and bought into what we were trying to do at the club. He enjoyed his spell here – we want him back, and he wants to come back.”