MIDDLESBROUGH manager Tony Mowbray is running the rule over a Polish trialist this week, but there are fears he is set to miss out on Liverpool's Jonjo Shelvey.

Wisla Krakow attacking midfielder Patryk Malecki is understood to be training at Boro's Rockcliffe Park HQ to allow Mowbray and his coaching staff to take a closer look at the Polish international.

It is reported that the 23-year-old has been suspended by Wisla after a disagreement with the club's owner, allowing him to undergo a trial on Teesside.

Malecki is regarded as a top prospect in his home nation after making his Wisla debut aged 18, but the Polish side are willing to let him go in the summer for a fee in the region of 500,000 euros.

With the emergency loan window to close next week, it remains to be seen whether Mowbray could strike up a temporary deal if Malecki impresses or whether he will wait until the summer to make a move.

Mowbray has also been linked with a loan move for Shelvey, but it appears the former Charlton Athletic man favours a move to Blackpool.

The 20-year-old spent the first part of the season with the Tangerines, scoring six goals in ten games before being recalled by Reds boss Kenny Dalglish, and it is understood he would prefer to stay closer to home if he was to go out on loan again.

The Seasiders have made no secret of their desire to re-sign Shelvey until the end of the season, but Mowbray is also keen on the player.

The Boro boss has problems in midfield heading into the final weeks of the season with Barry Robson suspended and Faris Haroun struggling with a hamstring injury.

Kevin Thomson is set to be assessed ahead of Saturday's game after suffering concussion in Sunday's defeat to Leeds, while Rhys Williams also picked up an ankle injury.

Despite Sunday's disappointing display, Boro remain in the play-off places, but back-to-back trips to Birmingham and West Ham United could be crucial for their promotion chances.

Mowbray's side have enjoyed more success on the road having lost just four times away from the Riverside and striker Lukas Jutkiewicz believes the fact their next two games are away could play into their hands.

"They are tough games against teams near us in table and it is important to pick up points, but generally we've done well away from home so there's no reason why we can't go to these places and pick up points," Jutkiewicz said.

"Both of them have maybe had the same problem that we have had and have struggled a bit at home. Maybe we can go there and take advantage.

"I've been to both already and got no joy although obviously the situation with Coventry was that we were really struggling to pick up points.

"West Ham fans can get a bit frustrated and get on their backs a bit if they are not winning. It is the same at Birmingham. The supporters feel they should be winning at home and get a bit anxious when they don't get an early goal. Maybe we can exploit that. We have to try and frustrate them."

Meanwhile, Williams has been named as one of the top ten players in the Championship in a poll among managers of the league's 24 clubs.

He came eighth in the poll, which was topped by Southampton striker Rickie Lambert.