Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce is willing to let striker Rudy Gestede go to Middlesbrough to help fund new signings in the January transfer window.

The 28 year old has made just eight Championship starts for Villa this season and only three since Bruce took over in October.

"The two clubs are talking," he told BBC WM. "We'll see how that develops.

"He's not been playing as much he wants and we've got a bit of an imbalance in the squad, which isn't healthy."

Bruce added: "I've got six centre forwards and I've got to maybe sell one to buy in a midfield player or another defender."