Middlesbrough are seeking to re-sign Liverpool winger Stewart Downing.

The People says Tony Mowbray is planning a January move to take Downing back to Teesside.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers made it clear this week that he wants Downing out during the January ­transfer window.

Mowbray thinks a return to the club that sold him to Aston Villa three years ago would be the perfect boost for Boro's promotion bid.

A move down to the Championship would seem a backward step for a player still in the England squad but Mowbray is convinced he can lure the 28-year-old back to Boro, initially on loan.