Middlesbrough 'hopeful' of completing Castledine deal

Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg says the Teesside club is "hoping" to complete a deal for Chelsea attacking midfielder Leo Castledine.

The 20-year-old is currently on loan in League One with Huddersfield Town, where he has scored 12 goals in 27 games this season.

Hellberg has been impressed by what Castledine has done and would like to add him to Boro's squad for their Championship promotion push.

"We are hoping to solve that one," he told BBC Radio Tees.

"He's done a brilliant job for Huddersfield, doing a lot of good stuff. He's scored a lot of goals, so he's a good player."

Meanwhile, Hellberg has revealed that Boro will be without Alfie Jones for an extended period.

The Canada centre-back who had played in all but one of their Championship games following a summer move from Hull City, underwent surgery earlier this week on an ankle injury that forced him off during the goalless draw at home to Blackburn Rovers on Boxing Day.

Hellberg added: "Alfie's had surgery, so he will not play for a long while."