Chelsea Recall On-Loan Bamford  (Sky Sports)

Chelsea have recalled striker Patrick Bamford from his loan at Burnley.

There have been reports that Middlesbrough are keen on signing the 23-year-old, who had a spell on loan with the Teesside club in the 2014-2015 season, scoring 17 goals.

Bamford, who has also spent time on loan at MK Dons, Derby, Crystal Palace and Norwich, only made six substitute appearances for the Clarets.

Manager Sean Dyche said: “He’s been called back by Chelsea today. It’s their prerogative to do that.

"It was part of the contract that was agreed. We just have to live with that."

Bamford has never played for current Premier League leaders Chelsea, who are in the midst of a dispute with striker Diego Costa after he was the subject of a £30m-per-year offer from a Chinese club.

Costa was dropped from the squad to face Leicester on Saturday, having not trained with the first-team since a row with boss Antonio Conte on Tuesday.

The Blues also have summer signing Michy Batshuayi in the striker department, and youngster Dominic Solanke.