Middlesbrough have sensationally written off £2 MILLION in sending Sean St Ledger back to Preston North End.

The Daily Mail says St Ledger has made a shock return to Preston after Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan tore up his £4million deal to move to Teesside permanently next month.

But the decision, which comes just a week after Strachan denied a bust-up with the Republic of Ireland international, will still cost Boro £2m.

Gareth Southgate set up the loan deal with Preston and St Ledger before his departure and the Birmingham-born Ireland international was set to make the move permanent in January.