Ben Doak transfer stance made clear as bidding war for Liverpool's £30m man addressed by Middlesbrough boss

The bidding war over Ben Doak has been given a clear response by Middlesborough manager Michael Carrick.

The Scotland international has been in fine form for the Championship club this season and has attracted interest from multiple Premier League clubs. Bournemouth have emerged as the new favourites to land the on loan Liverpool attacker, with Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town seeing their £15million bids turned down by the Reds.

However, the interest appears to have cooled on Doak for the time being, a possible result of Liverpool's current £25-30m valuation. Carrick and Middlesborough know higher return bids are like especially as the window reaches deadline day.

Speaking to the press this week the former Manchester United midfielder addressed the rumours around Doak and his striking partner Emmanuel Latte, who is subject of a £20m bid from Atlanta United. He said: "We understand the situation. From our point of view there's zero distractions. Ben has been the same, he's trained fantastically well. I'm happy and delighted with the way it's going."

Doak was rested him in last week's FA Cup defeat to Blackburn Rovers, but is expected to return to the squad this weekend for the game at Portsmouth on Saturday.