Gaston Ramirez returns to Middlesbrough fold for Spanish training camp after handing in transfer request amid Leicester interest
- Middlesbrough's Gaston Ramirez handed in a transfer request to force a move
- But he ended up staying with the club despite interest from Leicester City
- Ramirez's agent said Aitor Karanka threatened to leave if he was sold
- He has now returned to the squad as part of their training camp in Spain
- Manager Karanka has now insisted Ramirez remains an important player
Gaston Ramirez has returned to the Middlesbrough fold in Spain as he attempts to rebuild his reputation on Teesside.
The 26-year-old Uruguay international handed in a transfer request last month with champions Leicester attempting to lure him away from the Riverside Stadium.
However, Boro swiftly rejected the Foxes' overtures and insisted the former Southampton midfielder, who has missed the last six games with a knee injury, was not for sale.
Gaston Ramirez, pictured with Adam Forshaw, is back with the Middlesbrough squad
Head coach Aitor Karanka insisted as the saga unfolded that Ramirez would not be leaving and would eventually be assimilated back into the squad, and that process began in earnest on Tuesday when the Spaniard and his players, including the South American, headed off on a four-day warm-weather training break on the Costa Blanca.
Karanka said at the time: "He is and he will be an important player in this team and he knows that. He knows the effort that the club made to sign him last season and therefore that the club made this summer to sign him permanently."
Ramirez, who was given a few days off last week to clear his head, has not made a senior appearance since the 0-0 Premier League draw with Leicester on January 2 and Boro have taken just two points from a possible 12 in his absence to slip to within a point of the relegation zone.
Ramirez had previously handed in a transfer request in a bid to force a move to Leicester
Karanka has been delighted with the player's contribution since his permanent capture during the summer following a successful loan spell and is confident he can make an impact once again as he attempts to steer the club away from trouble.
The pair were joined on the plane by full-back George Friend, who has missed the last two games with a calf injury sustained in the FA Cup fourth round victory over Accrington.
Boro face in-form Everton at the Riverside on Saturday looking for a first league win since they beat Swansea 3-0 on December 17.
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