Josh McEachran left out of Middlesbrough squad, should we take note?

The Middlesbrough lineups just came out for their Capital One Cup clash with Swansea City, and Chelsea loanee Josh McEachran will not be involved in the contest. Here is the full Boro lineup for the tie:

Boro v Swansea: Steele; Hoyte, Hines, Bikey, Friend, Ledesma, Leadbitter (Capt), Bailey, Haroun, Jutkiewicz, McDonald #UTB

— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) December 12, 2012

Subs Leutwiler (gk); Parnaby, Halliday, Thomson, Smallwood, Emnes, Miller #UTB

— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) December 12, 2012

Josh has not played a minute in any cup competition this season, so he's not cup tied to Middlesbrough. Chelsea have requested that McEachran not be played in either cup competition, so make of that what you will.

While this by no means indicates Chelsea are about to recall Josh, I'd imagine that we should probably still take note. If Chelsea had ruled out a recall in January, I think it's safe to assume that McEachran would have been allowed to play today. His not being cup-tied is certainly something.

As far as our other loan players go, only Romelu Lukaku is cup-tied in any competition in which Chelsea will be taking part. Lukaku has already played for West Brom in the Capital One Cup, meaning if recalled, he'd be ineligible to play for Chelsea (should they advance past mighty Leeds). He'd still be eligible to play in the FA Cup though, as he's yet to log a minute in that competition. All other loanees are still eligible in every competition we are taking part in.