![\"Law](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0_Plymouth-Argyle-v-Wigan-Athletic-Sky-Bet-League-One.jpg\")
Law McCabe of Plymouth Argyle(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\nLaw McCabe’s loan at Plymouth Argyle has been terminated early after a difficult campaignLaw McCabe of Plymouth Argyle(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Law McCabe\u2019s loan spell at Plymouth Argyle has been cut short, with the young midfielder returning to Middlesbrough<\/a>.<\/p>\n McCabe had been due to spend the full season with the Pilgrims, but a difficult spell with the struggling League One club has resulted in the two clubs agreeing to end it early.<\/p>\n The 19-year-old England youth international managed just 13 appearances for Tom Cleverley\u2019s side, only eight of which were starts. He will now return to Boro<\/a> where he is likely to be given the opportunity to impress Kim Hellberg.<\/p>\n Explaining why the move hadn\u2019t worked out, Cleverley told Devon-based reporters: \u201cThere\u2019ll be some players who aren\u2019t happy with the minutes they\u2019re getting and might end up leaving this month.<\/p>\n \u201cOne that I can tell you definitely is that Law McCabe is going back to Middlesbrough. That will happen tomorrow. I\u2019m sure Law will have learned a lot. It\u2019s difficult when results are absolutely key and the situation we were in, it didn\u2019t benefit Law.<\/p>\n \u201cHe couldn\u2019t grow into the situation and we needed short-term results so we\u2019re playing a little bit more direct than we visualised at the start of the season. Law suffered because of that.<\/p>\n \u201cI think he\u2019ll have learned the dark arts, and he goes back to Middlesbrough a more experienced player. He\u2019ll be a top player in the future because he has very good attributes and great attitude.<\/p>\n \u201cBut, just for now, it was the other three that I needed in there, and the qualities that they bring.\u201d<\/p>\n McCabe\u2019s return to Boro means he will stay on Teesside for the remainder of the season. The young midfielder appeared for Boro in the Carabao Cup defeat to Doncaster Rovers at the start of the campaign, and has therefore already represented two clubs this season, meaning another loan is not possible.<\/p>\n Hellberg is likely to hand McCabe an opportunity to impress in training. Having made one of his Plymouth appearances in the FA Cup<\/a> this season however, he will be cup tied and unable to play at Fulham this weekend.<\/p>\n With Boro well-stocked in midfield after Alex Gilbert\u2019s resurgence under Hellberg – largely as a central midfielder – McCabe won\u2019t find game-time easy in the second half of the season.<\/p>\n However, with Boro keen to strengthen their squad in this month\u2019s transfer window, outgoings are needed to trim the squad and also balance the books.<\/p>\n If McCabe catches the eye upon his return, it could tempt Boro to recoup funds from parting with Gilbert and using McCabe as a fourth\/fifth choice backup option. Gilbert\u2019s stock has arguably never been higher after a couple of impressive performances upon his initial return to the side.<\/p>\n Heading into the transfer window, Boro\u2019s EFL squad was at its maximum with 25 registered players. That was before Adilson Malanda was factored in, while Lukas Engel is also back and potentially being reintegrated too.<\/p>\n The 25-man squad list ceases to exist during the transfer window, but will need resubmitting at the end of the window on February 2. Still only 19, McCabe is eligible to play for Boro as an under-21 player and therefore doesn\u2019t need to be on the EFL squad list.<\/p>\n Though he struggled to make an impression at Home Park, he was more a victim of circumstance and the Pilgrims\u2019 relegation battle. Cleverley opted to change their style from a technical, possession-based one to a more direct approach. The environment and style of play at Boro could end up suiting him more.<\/p>\n ————<\/p>\n Here at TeessideLive, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Middlesbrough FC<\/a> coverage and analysis.<\/p>\n Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest Boro news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here<\/a> to subscribe.<\/p>\n Your information will be hidden, you’ll only ever receive messages from the Teesside Live sports team, and you can leave any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’. If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice<\/a>.<\/p>\n