Middlesbrough extend striker Marcus Bent's loan deal

Bent is yet to score for Boro in his seven games at The Riverside

Middlesbrough have extended striker Marcus Bent's loan spell from Birmingham until 16 January.

The 31-year-old joined Boro on a two-month emergency loan in October and has made seven Championship appearances.

The Blues have cleared Bent to play for Middlesbrough in Saturday's FA Cup third round tie against Manchester City at the Riverside.

Boro manager Gordon Strachan is lacking strikers with Jeremie Aliadiere injured and Leroy Lita suspended.

Also in the squad but out of the first-team picture is Netherlands Under-21 international Marvin Emnes, with teenage strikers Jonathan Franks and Luke Williams a possibility for Saturday's FA Cup tie with Manchester City.

Bent has enjoyed a long career with a host of clubs, with his most successful spells coming with Sheffield United, and in the Premier League with Everton and Charlton.