WEST BROM have been knocked back in their attempts to land Middlesbrough defender George Friend.

Boro are determined to keep Friend at the Riverside where he is one of the key components of Aitor Karanka’s team.

A number of Premier League clubs are interested and West Brom recently made a tentative approach for the left-back only to be told a potential £4m offer would not be enough to tempt Boro into selling.

Friend has become a really popular player and character both in the dressing room and among the supporters since joining from Doncaster for a little more than £100,000 in 2012. There is no desire to sell him for a sizeable profit this summer despite the strong interest in him.

He still has three years remaining on his contract and is settled in the region, even though he could not live further away from his Devon roots.

Middlesbrough are not expecting to have heard the last of clubs wanting to sign the 27-year-old, as Premier League newcomers Watford are also keen as well as Alan Pardew at Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.

Chairman Steve Gibson is determined to strengthen the squad in preparation for an automatic promotion surge, so he is keen to keep hold of the likes of Friend. There is also interest in Ben Gibson and Albert Adomah.

Middlesbrough want a number of players this summer but the extent of the changes could depend on whether attempts to prise Stewart Downing away from West Ham are successful.

Downing returned to pre-season training with the Hammers yesterday, but Slaven Bilic is expected to let the attacking midfielder move on before the start of the new season.

Former Middlesbrough player Andy Halliday is set to join Rangers, the club he supported as a boy, on trial after leaving Bradford.