Ex-Celtic winger Patrick Roberts has been told he can leave Middlesbrough next month to find first-team football elsewhere.

The Invincible has been on loan at Boro since joining from Manchester City after a stint at Norwich and Girona before that.

Manager Neil Warnock has been unable to provide Roberts with the game time he needs, and has, as such, told the player he can leave to find another loan - though he'd be as well staying to fight for his place.

"I’ve had a chat with Patrick, and he’s aware of the situation," Warnock revealed. "I think the lad wants to play. I don’t want him to leave, but I’ve said to him that if he wants to, or if he thinks he can improve his chances of playing by going somewhere different, then I wouldn’t stand in his way.

"He’s aware of that. Unless it’s a good club, he might as well stay here and try to fight for his place, really."

Roberts was a revelation at Parkhead under Brendan Rodgers during his first spell but was unable to replicate the same form after returning on loan.