Middlesbrough defender Matthew Bates admits he may move out on-loan this month.
Bates made his Premiership comeback game against Manchester United this week and told the Evening Gazette: "I'll see what the situation is before the weekend.
"If I'm honest the idea was to get out on loan in January but things might change after Monday's game.
"I'll have to have a word with the gaffer and see what the future is here. I'm out of contract in the summer so I've got some big decisions to make.
"Justin's (Hoyte) out injured so the right-back slot is there for the taking and if I can keep playing well and work hard in training, I will see how it goes from there."