By Chris Dunlavy
Middlesbrough have pipped north-east rivals Sunderland to the signing of Leicester full-back Luke Thomas.
The 22-year-old, who spent the first half of the campaign at Premier League side Sheffield United, has joined the Teessiders on a loan deal until the end of the season.
Long-term injuries to Niall Huggins and Dennis Cirkin had left Sunderland short of cover at left-back and director of football Kristjaan Speakman spoke to Leicester last week about taking Thomas on loan.
However, Boro have a long-standing interest in the England Under-21 star and when an injury to Alex Ban...