Middlesbrough have not dropped their pursuit of Blackburn Rovers striker Jordan Rhodes<> The Mail on Sunday says Blackburn have insisted Rhodes is not for sale but defeat to Brighton yesterday has left their slim play-off chances hanging by a thread and Boro hope to persuade them to strike a deal for the Scotland international.

Middlesbrough will try to strike a loan before Thursday's deadline with the view to a permanent £10 million transfer.

Derby County are also understood to be interested in the 23-year-old.