IPSWICH Town loan target Adam Johnson has warned his patience is running out at Middlesbrough.The highly-rated 'Boro winger is wanted by a raft of championship clubs, including Town but the Premier League club have made it clear he will not be allowed to go out on loan this year.

Derek Davis

IPSWICH Town loan target Adam Johnson has warned his patience is running out at Middlesbrough.

The highly-rated 'Boro winger is wanted by a raft of championship clubs, including Town but the Premier League club have made it clear he will not be allowed to go out on loan this year.

Johnson has found his progress thwarted by the former of England left-midfielder Stewart Downing, who in turn is seeking a bigger club to promote his international chances, and that could prompt one or both to leave Teesside.

England Under-21 winger Johnson said: "Stewart Downing is obviously going to look to move to a big team soon. There has been a lot of talk about him moving. Who knows? He might move before I do.

"But if not, maybe I'll have to find my own way soon - if I can't get in, I can't be hanging around forever.

"Maybe I could go out on loan or something in January and then come back and if I'm still not going to be part of it, then maybe you have got to look elsewhere.'

Blues boss Jim Magilton is tracking his progress closely, but a number of clubs are keen on Johnson who was outstanding in the Championship while on loan at Watford last season with five league goals in 12 games, all coming from the left side.

He would not be the first player to choose not to join Ipswich's promotion challenge with Frenchman Fabrice Ehret reported to be the latest to turn down an approach.

The 28-year-old left sided player claims Town made two bids to his Bundesliga club FC Cologne but he didn't want to move.

Town were also knocked back in their bid to sign his team-mate Milivoje Novakovic, a prolific striker that Cologne refused to sell.

Reports that Damien Francis was a Blues target have been denied by Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd who said there had been no contact from Ipswich.