NEIL WARNOCK intends to sit down with Duncan Watmore's representatives before the weekend to tie up the details of a deal that will see the forward remain with Middlesbrough until at least the end of the season.

Warnock signed a short-term deal to the middle of January last month, and has not taken long to justify his place in Boro's first-team squad.

He followed up his two goals against Swansea City with another brace in last weekend's 3-0 win over Millwall, making him Boro's leading goalscorer in the league this season.

The former Sunderland forward is keen to commit his longer-term future to the Riverside, and a deal to the end of the season is already all-but-agreed.

This week's discussions will determine exactly what is included in that deal, but there is a good chance there will be a clause enabling Boro to extend Watmore's stay beyond the end of the current campaign if all parties are in agreement.

Warnock said: "I said to him before the game at Preston, ‘Look, don’t worry, there’ll be a contract for you now son’.

"He was pleased, but we’ve just been so busy – it makes it hard to get things done.

"I spoke to him briefly again yesterday, and I’m sure we’ll be getting together with his agents in the next few days.