PAUL LAMBERT has urged the Blackburn Rovers hierarchy not to sell the club’s star striker, Jordan Rhodes, to Middlesbrough this month.

Boro’s January reshuffle continued yesterday as Diego Fabbrini’s loan from Watford was formally cancelled, enabling the midfielder to complete a £1.5m move to Birmingham City.

Aitor Karanka had already planned for Fabbrini’s departure with the loan signing of Southampton’s Gaston Ramirez, but the Boro boss remains keen to make further additions before the transfer window closes on Monday.

He remains determined to sign a defender capable of replacing Jack Stephens, who has returned to Southampton after his own loan deal was cancelled, with Benfica’s Victor Lindelof still an option despite talks over a move for the Sweden Under-21 international having been put on hold.

Ideally, Karanka would also like to sign a proven goalscorer capable of stepping up to the Premier League this month, which explains his continued interest in both Rhodes and Ross McCormack.

The recruitment of another forward is not regarded as absolutely essential, with Kike Sola having arrived to swell Boro’s attacking ranks, but chairman Steve Gibson is willing to fund a big-money deal if he feels it represents value for money at such a crucial stage of the season.

Boro officials have held discussions with their counterparts at both Blackburn and Fulham, but neither club is currently willing to agree a deal that would meet Boro’s valuations.

Rhodes has been on the club’s radar for more than a year, with Boro having had a succession of bids rejected in the summer even though the Scotland international submitted a transfer request in an attempt to force through a move to the Riverside.

Blackburn’s reluctance to sell Rhodes has not wavered, indeed if anything it has strengthened in the last few days with Lambert having agreed to the departure of another striker, Fode Koita.

Koita is set to join Turkish side Kasimpasa, and while Lambert is hoping to receive some funds to enable him to recruit a replacement, the Blackburn boss has warned his club’s hierarchy that Rhodes’ departure would have serious repercussions in terms of his options for the remainder of the season.

When Lambert was asked about Rhodes’ position earlier this week, he said: “It’s the same situation as it was when I first came to the club. I’ve not heard anything. I chat with the chief executive and until someone tells me different then it’s the same situation.”

Fabbrini’s loan with Boro was due to run until the end of the season, but with the Italian having tumbled down the pecking order in the last few months, Karanka agreed to Watford’s request to end the agreement.

That enabled the Hornets to sell the 25-year-old to Birmingham, with Fabbrini having signed a three-and-a-half year contract at St Andrew’s.

The midfielder, who played on loan at Birmingham last season, joined Boro in the summer, and made an instant impression as he scored in two of the opening five league games.

He also scored against Leeds and Wolves, but had made just one league start since the end of November before the decision was taken to terminate his loan deal.

Meanwhile, former Middlesbrough forward Lee Tomlin has joined Championship side Bristol City on a season-long loan.

Tomlin left Boro to join Bournemouth in a £3.5m summer move, but has only managed three Premier League starts for Eddie Howe's side.