LUKE WILLIAMS, Adam Reach and Richie Smallwood are all leaving Middlesbrough on loan to lower-league clubs.

Williams and Reach have agreed loan deals at Hartlepool United and Bradford City respectively, while Smallwood is set to join Rotherham United later today.

Williams, a 20-year-old winger, joins Christian Burgess at Hartlepool's Victoria Park for a month, having recently returned from a month-long development spell at Atletico Madrid.

His only appearance under Aitor Karanka came in this month's FA Cup defeat to Hull, and his current Boro contract is due to expire in the summer.

Reach has joined Bradford until February 22, and effectively replaces high-rated winger Kyle Reid, who was ruled out for the rest of the season earlier this week.

The left midfielder has already been out on loan once this season, scoring three goals in a three-month spell with Shrewswbury.

Smallwood is the more experienced of the three departing players, with his proposed move to Rotherham expected to be completed this afternoon.

The 23-year-old has made 71 senior appearances for Boro, with his most recent start coming in the 2-2 draw with Bolton on New Year's Day.

"I had 31 players in training this week, and it's difficult to know the players in training if you can't watch them play," said Karanka. "For this reason, Luke Williams, Adam Reach and Richie Smallwood go on loan.

"They are young players, and potential players for the team in the future. But at the moment, I prefer for them that they play."