Chelsea's Tomas Kalas wants to stay at Middlesbrough for promotion push

Chelsea defender Tomas Kalas has expressed his desire to stay at Middlesbrough for the final two weeks of the Championship season after his loan on Teesside came to an end.

The Czech played his last game for Boro in Friday night's crucial victory over Norwich City, which moved Aitor Karanka's side within a point of the top of the table.

Kalas, who has been a regular for Boro since joining from Chelsea in January, is hoping to remain at the club, even if he can't play.

"If Chelsea don't need me, I'm going to see if they will let me stay here and I can support the lads for the final games," he told the club website.

Kalas also hinted that he may again move to Boro next season if Chelsea feel it is the right move.

"I will look back with great pleasure on my time here, I really enjoyed it. I really want to come back," he added.

"I say thank you to the manager, the coaches, all the staff and of course the fans. Thank you so much.

"Hopefully I will see you again next season."

In total, Kalas started 16 of the 17 games in which he appeared for Boro, who are only out of the automatic-promotion places on goal difference.