The 28-year-old former Celtic striker is one of Boro's highest earners but only managed nine goals during the 2011-12 campaign.

McDonald, along with defender Stephen McManus, were transfer listed earlier this off-season as the Championship club tries to lower its wage bill.

Mowbray said at Boro's first day of pre-season training last this week that no bids had come in for the duo and that they'd be part of the club's plans going ahead.

“There have been no phone calls for either of them. I fully expect all the players to come in, get their heads down and work hard and try and get in my plans for the season,” Mowbray told the Middlesbrough Gazette.

He added: “Players on large salaries here now - just as players on large salaries who were here last year - you get on with them, it’s your job.

"You hope they are good enough to impact on the team and make a difference and we hope that’s the case this year.”