Aston Villa want Jordan Rhodes

Aston Villa will lodge a loan attempt for Jordan Rhodes when the transfer window reopens in the New Year. The Scotland international has struggled to earn a regular run at Middlesbrough this season.

Rhodes joined Boro from Blackburn Rovers in January 2015, and netted six goals during their promotion campaign.

However, he has not quite hit the heights in the top flight with manager Aitor Karanka preferring to play Alvaro Negredo in the centre-forward position.

According to The Sun, Villains boss Steve Bruce will look to revive his long-standing interest in Rhodes with a short-term loan being the likely option.

The 26-year-old has appeared just twice for the Riverside outfit this season, and he could be urged to drop to the Championship, where he has made a name for himself as a deadly striker.

Rhodes, who began his professional career at Ipswich Town in 2007, has amassed 185 goals in 355 outings over the years.