Middlesbrough appear likely to recall Sammy Silvera from his loan at Portsmouth this month, with Pompey boss John Mousinho admitting it hasn't worked out for the forward at Fratton Park.
Silvera has struggled to make an impact at his loan club and was taunted by his own fans last Sunday when he made his first start for the club since September. While Mousinho defended the winger after chants of 'send him back' from Pompey fans, he was unused from the bench on New Year's Day and didn't even make the squad for Sunday's defeat to Sunderland.
A recall clause is inserted into the loan deal, but only in the control of Boro. While Mousinho was unable to offer any update on the next step for Silvera after Sunday's loss, his comments suggested they're cutting their losses on the Australian, with an expectation from both clubs now that the loan will be terminated early at some stage this month - with Michael Carrick previously saying it was something Boro were considering.
Mousinho told Portsmouth News on Sunday: "We are not sure what the situation is there yet, and with anything around transfers and actually internal players leading into a match-day, I don’t have anything to do with it, so I will catch up with the sporting director after and see where we are at with that.
"Has it worked out for Sammy? Sometimes that’s what happens, players that go on loan or players we sign, if it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out. That’s one of those things, that’s part of recruitment, some you get right and some you don’t."
With Boro expected to bring Silvera back to Teesside, it remains to be seen what the next move will be for the 24-year-old. Boro currently have a full squad as far as EFL registration rules are concerned and he will likely to find game-time hard to come by at Boro, with Carrick's forward options well-stocked. Having not played for Boro this season, an alternative move - be that temporarily or permanently - remains a possibility.
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