MIDDLESBROUGH have received a number of loan offers for Isaiah Jones, but Neil Warnock will not be making a final decision over the youngster’s future before he has completed his own transfer business this summer.

Jones, a 22-year-old Londoner who joined Boro in the summer of 2019, spent the second half of last season on loan at Scottish side Queen of the South.

He returned to Teesside for the start of pre-season, and has impressed Warnock with his effort and application, culminating in his second-half appearance in Tuesday’s friendly defeat at York City.

Along with Jeremy Sivi, who missed Tuesday’s trip to York’s LNER Stadium because of a minor leg issue, Jones has enhanced his first-team prospects in the last few weeks, although Warnock admits he is still pondering whether another loan move will be the best way of aiding the forward’s development.

“There are two or three clubs in (League) Two that would take Isaiah,” said the Boro boss, ahead of this evening’s final pre-season friendly at Rotherham United. “It depends on who we get in because we need someone to change a game.

“Both him and Jeremy have got the pace, in particular Jeremy. Jeremy has done well as well. Isaiah looks bright, it’s just his final product. But we’ll work on that. He’s had a really good pre-season, and so has Jeremy.”

The pair have moved above Sam Folarin in the pecking order, with Josh Coburn also in the mix in terms of youngsters who could force their way into the first-team squad on a regular basis next season.

Coburn made his mark at the end of last season, making four senior appearances and scoring in April’s win over Sheffield Wednesday, and the 18-year-old would have been more heavily involved in Boro’s current pre-season schedule had he not contracted Covid earlier this summer.

He is back to full fitness now though, and having had a second-half run-out at York, is set to remain in the squad for tonight’s game at Rotherham’s New York Stadium.

“Josh had Covid, but he’s back now and I thought some of his movement the other night (against York) was excellent,” said Warnock.

“He was unlucky not to get on the end of a cross from Djed (Spence). Sam Folarin is with the 23s. I just felt there were others in front of him at the moment.”