Tykes land Boro starlet

The talented left back has not played for Boro this season due to a foot injury.

The England youth star broke his foot in pre-season training, but the bone did not heal properly and he was forced to have an extended spell on the sidelines.

Murphy is now being given the chance to regain full fitness by new Barnsley boss Paul Hart and becomes his first signing since he took charge at Oakwell. 

The 20-year-old is out of contract in the summer and is battling for his Boro future, but he knows a good display at Barnsley could land him a new deal.

Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren has been a big fan of Murphy in the past, handing him his first team debut in 2001 and then using him 13 times in The Premiership.

It now remains to be seen whether Murphy can recapture the form that pushed him into Boro's Premiership squad.