AITOR KARANKA has admitted that Middlesbrough have knocked back two offers for Jordan Rhodes, while claiming new signing Patrick Bamford can be a big hit on Teesside again.

Rhodes is in high demand in the Championship this month and Aston Villa are known to have made a firm offer this week, thought to be around the £7m mark.

There has also been strong interest in him from Sheffield Wednesday, while Derby County had previously been keen before signing David Nugent in a £2m deal.

But Middlesbrough, who only bought him a year ago in a deal initially worth £9m, are adamant they will receive their valuation and that is believed to be inexcess of £10m.

"If the right offer arrives for Jordan and he wants to leave ... the club has received two offers but they were not enough," Karanka said. "He has to keep going."

The Northern Echo: TURN AROUND: Jordan Rhodes scored twice to help Middlesbrough beat Bolton on Saturday

Wanted: Jordan Rhodes

Rhodes' chances of playing again for Middlesbrough receded yesterday when Bamford arrived from Chelsea in a £6m deal. His arrival followed the £6m purchase of Rudy Gestede earlier this month.

"Patrick is a player I like a lot, he played his best with us here," he told reporters at Middlesbrough's Rockliffe Park training base ahead of Saturday's Premier League games with West Ham. 

"I have to be careful because he has not played for 18 months. The first thing he needs to do is recover his confidence. It will be difficult for him but he knows I trust him.

"Sometimes you want to show how good you are, or were, I'm sure he will be able to do these things with his confidence. He can play any position up front."

The Northern Echo: Everton's Ross Barkley (left) and Newcastle United's Andros Townsend battle for the ball during the Barclays Premier League at Goodison Park, Liverpool. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday February 3, 2016. See PA story SOCCER Everton. Photo

Target: Andros Townsend

Karanka is still looking to add more players to his squad and has Stoke's Bojan, Hull's Rob Snodgrass, Crystal Palace's Andros Townsend and PSG's Jese Rodriguez all under consideration.

He said: "The main areas I want to strengthen is the wings and we have another two weeks to do that. The club knows the players who I want. When they come it will be perfect for me."

With regard to the situation surrounding Stewart Downing, who has been made available for loan, he said: "I have not spoken with Stewart, they have not received an offer for him. He will be in the squad, he will be on the bench. So nothing."

Karanka said the only two players currently on the treatment table were Gaston Ramirez - who is the subject of interest from Leicester - and Antonio Barragan.

Boro play West Ham on Saturday - they drew 1-1 at the London Stadium - and Karanka said: "We are ready for this because we are at home. It is an important game for us.

"The game when we played in London helped us change everything. I like the reaction of the players that day."