The West Bromwich Albion winger began his career at Middlesbrough.
West Bromwich Albion winger Chris Brunt is being linked with a return to first club Middlesbrough.
According to Teamtalk, Boro boss Tony Pulis has earmarked Brunt – along with Baggies teammate Craig Dawson, both of whom he managed at the Hawthorns – as a key summer target.
And such a move would see the Ulsterman reunited with the player on whom he blamed his 2004 exit from Middlesbrough.
“I’m sure Stewart (Downing) probably was one of the reasons why I was released by Boro,” Brunt told the Express & Star eight years ago. “Adam Johnson was coming through as well so it was probably a bad time to go to Boro.
“I knew Stewart in the youth teams. He was a year older than me and in the same position.
“He was the local lad and he was put in the first-team quite early, so it was always going to be difficult for me to get a game with him playing.”
Brunt – who never played a competitive game for Middlesbrough – kickstarted his career at Sheffield Wednesday, where he made 147 appearances and won promotion via the League One play-offs.
But it is with West Bromwich Albion that the 33-year-old reached his career pinnacle, although the Baggies’ relegation – which looks increasingly inevitable – could bring to an end his 11-year stay in the West Midlands.
Brunt’s Albion contract is due to expire this summer, however recent reports suggest a 12-month extension option has now been triggered.
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