“Yes there was truth in the reports that Boro was lining up John for a move to the Riverside,” an Aloisi insider tells au.fourfourtwo.com.

“However, the club has told John that two of their strikers will be back a lot sooner than first thought and so the need to sign a striker like John has lessened.

“They said they will keep John in mind for the future, though.”

Overnight, Boro lost 2-0 to Spurs in the Carling Cup with a patched up side. Out were key forwards Mido, Tuncay and attacking midfielder Julio Arca. Aussie keeper Brad Jones did play though.

Aloisi will remain in Spain with his family for the moment where he is keeping fit training on his own. His last competitive game was the Asian Cup quarter final against Japan in late July. He scored in regular time but Australia went out on penalties.

Still on Aloisi and penalties, and footage of the striker's famous penalty goal against Uruguay features in the federal government's current TV advertising campaign explaining its citizenship test.