BLACKBURN Rovers top-scorer Jordan Rhodes is edging closer to a move to Middlesbrough, it is understood, but a deal has not been done yet.

Rhodes left the Rovers training ground this morning, not long after arriving, amid reports that his on-off £11m transfer to Championship rivals Boro was back on.

And, although Premier League outfit Watford have been credited with an interest in the Scotland international, it appears he is, after all, going to join the Riverside Stadium outfit.

Rhodes’ switch to long-term suitors Middlesbrough dramatically collapsed yesterday afternoon over personal terms.

The type of deals Rovers are trying to do today may depend on whether Rhodes stays or goes.

But they are attempting to get a couple over the line before the transfer window closes at 11pm tonight.

It is understood that Rovers boss Paul Lambert would like to bring in a left-back, following Markus Olsson’s departure to Derby County, a ball-playing centre-midfielder and a creative attacker who can play off the front.

It is understood that Rovers were willing to match the basic wage needed to sign Everton and Republic of Ireland international winger Aiden McGeady.

But McGeady, a former team-mate of Lambert’s at Celtic, has signed for Sheffield Wednesday, who are believed to have offered better incentives.

Even if Rhodes does depart, Lambert confirmed after Saturday’s 3-0 FA Cup win at Oxford United that he would not be moving for another centre-forward.

He said: “The funny thing is we’re not too bad in the forward areas, it’s the outskirts where we need to strengthen. That’s an area we need to look at.”

Wales international Tom Lawrence has joined Cardiff City on loan for the rest of the season from Leicester City after leaving Rovers yesterday.

Also as expected, midfielder John O’Sullivan has had his loan at Bury extended until the end of the campaign.