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  1. Middlesbrough keeper Hemming returns to St Mirren on loan published at 19:05 3 January

    Zach Hemming in action for St MirrenImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Zach Hemming spent the entirety of last season on loan in Paisley

    St Mirren have signed goalkeeper Zach Hemming on loan from Middlesbrough until the end of the season, with manager Stephen Robinson hinting he would like to make the addition permanent.

    Hemming spent the first half of this season at League One side Leyton Orient, but returned to his parent club on 1 January and now heads north to a club he is familiar with.

    The 24-year-old spent last season on loan in Paisley, making 33 league appearances as Robinson's side finished fifth.

    "We're delighted to have Zach back," Robinson said. "We all know what he can do. He was very successful last season and we will be in discussions with Middlesbrough as we look at the potential of making it permanent at the end of the season.

    "My job is to make the squad as strong as we possibly can in every position. I believe bringing Zach in strengthens the squad and gives us another percentage in trying to stay in the top six."

    Robinson says Hemming's arrival will likely mean a loan exit for goalkeeper Peter Urminsky, while the Northern Irishman also revealed Brentford could recall current number one Ellery Balcombe during the January window.

    "It allows us to look for a loan option for Peter [Urminsky]," Robinson added. "We believe Peter will be a top-class goalkeeper but he needs games.

    "Brentford also have a call-back option with Ellery [Balcombe] and that's up to Brentford what they do with that situation. But at the minute, we've got very good competition for goalkeepers."

  2. Pick of the stats: Middlesbrough v Cardiff Citypublished at 12:06 3 January

    Side by side of Middlesbrough and Cardiff City club crests

    Promotion-chasing Middlesbrough host struggling Cardiff City on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

    Boro took all three points on New Year's Day thanks to Alex Gilbert's last gasp goal in their 1-0 win against Hull City to consolidate fifth place.

    Cardiff's 1-1 draw against Coventry City came with plenty of drama of its own, with boss Omer Riza claiming that the fourth official's promotion to match referee for his first Championship game led to a harsh dismissal of striker Callum Robinson in the 47th minute.

    The Bluebirds are appealing to overturn the red card decision so Robinson may feature in the trip to the Riverside.

    • Middlesbrough have won six of their last seven league meetings with Cardiff City (L1), including each of the last four.

    • Cardiff City have won three of their last six away league games against Middlesbrough (D1 L2), though did lose 2-0 in this exact fixture this term.

    • Middlesbrough have drawn their last two home league games (3-3 v Sheffield Wednesday, 0-0 v Burnley) and could draw three in a row at the Riverside Stadium for the first time since February 2020 under Jonathan Woodgate.

    • Cardiff City ended a 13-game winless run away from home in the Championship when beating Watford 2-1 in their final game of 2024 – the Bluebirds last won back-to-back matches on the road in April.

    • Callum Robinson has scored each of Cardiff City's last three away league goals and the striker could score in three straight Championship appearances away from home for the very first time (120 away apps).

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