Bristol Rovers have received assurances from Middlesbrough that they want striker Josh Coburn to fulfil his season-long loan in BS7, according to manager Joey Barton.
Barton was without Coburn for Saturday's FA Cup win over Rochdale, with Boro informing the Gas they did not want the 19-year-old to be cup-tied. That prompted concerns from supporters that the Championship club could recall Coburn, who has scored three goals in six League One appearances for Rovers, in January.
Coburn was loaned out when Chris Wilder was in charge on Teesside, but he has since been replaced by former Manchester United midfielder Michel Carrick in the dugout and a change in regime could have brought a change in direction for the player's future.
