Hibs' Jonathan Ground likely to make 'Boro return

HIBS defender Jonathan Grounds looks set to return to Middlesbrough this month when his loan deal expires, despite manager Colin Calderwood's attempts to keep the left-back for the rest of the season.

Calderwood has held talks with Riverside counterpart Tony Mowbray about the 22-year-old, who was signed by John Hughes during the summer, and is wanting to re-sign Grounds to bolster the Easter Road outfit's bid to climb away from relegation trouble.

Grounds has made 13 SPL appearances this season and will face competition for a place in the side from Callum Booth if he opts to stay after the full-back returned from his loan spell at Brechin City just weeks after signing a long-term contract. Calderwood said: "I have spoken to Tony about it but we're still not at that date that we have to make a decision. I spoke to him last week and we'll make contact again in the coming week."

However, former Celtic manager Mowbray is expecting Grounds to return to Boro after his temporary deal expires on 29 January. He said: "As things stand, though, I think he's likely to be coming back soon."