EMMANUEL LEDESMA will not be leaving Middlesbrough on loan again this season, with Aitor Karanka keen to keep him on the books to provide cover during the promotion push.

Ledesma spent a month and a half on loan at Rotherham earlier this season, making seven appearances and scoring one goal, and has not featured in the Boro team since returning to Teesside a fortnight ago.

A number of Championship clubs have inquired about taking him on loan for the second half of the campaign, but Karanka does not see any value in loaning him out again.

Ledesma’s contract will expire at the end of the season, so Karanka sees no benefit in allowing the 26-year-old to play elsewhere before leaving for nothing in the summer.

“He will stay here,” said the Boro head coach. “His contract finishes at the end of the season, so it would be pointless to send him out on loan to play for another team when he is going to leave at the end of the season.

“I prefer to keep him with us because he is a player I know, and he has scored many goals for us. He is a good player, a threat from set-pieces, and if he is with us, he could play a role.”

Karanka will sanction a number of other loans between now and May though, with midfield duo Bryn Morris and Luke Williams likely to be first through the door as they continue to gain senior experience away from Teesside.

“We are working to send some of our young players on loan,” said Karanka. “Players like Bryn and Luke will benefit from being on loan. It is better for them, and if we can find the right place for the players, we will send them on loan.”