Middlesbrough attacker Stewart Downing has been told he is surplus to requirements at the Riverside by new manager Garry Monk, according to reports in the Middlesbrough Gazette.
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce previously enquired about the possibility of taking Downing on loan in January, and may well reignite his interest in the former Villa man this summer, now knowing his situation at Middlesbrough.
Bruce is looking to add width to his squad this summer, with Albert Adomah the only specialist winger at the club, with Jack Grealish and Birkir Bjarnason being played out wide and out of their preferred positions towards the end of the previous campaign.
Downing, 32, may well be interested in a return to Villa Park, where he enjoyed two successful seasons nine years ago.
The former England man endured a frustrating season in the Premier League with Middlesbrough, appearing 30 times, registering three assists and scoring once himself.
