Middlesbrough enquire about Premier League centre-back as Neil Warnock assesses potential outgoings

The Teessiders have been playing with a back three this season but look short of options in defence after Grant Hall suffered a calf injury at QPR.

Boro boss Neil Warnock has admitted the club are now primarily looking at the loan market due to the uncertain financial backdrop which has been created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Boro and their league rivals have until Monday, October 5 to sign players from abroad and will then have an extra 11 days, until October 16, to complete loan deals from English clubs.

Warnock didn’t put a timescale on Hall’s injury, yet the 28-year-old looks set for a few weeks on the sidelines as Boro approach a congested run of fixtures.

Dael Fry took Hall’s place at QPR, while Paddy McNair and Anfernee Dijksteel have also been operating in a three-man backline, yet another injury or two would cause problems.

But despite the financial restrictions, Warnock still believes he has support from Boro chairman Steve Gibson and chief executive Neil Bausor.

“I did enquire about a centre-back and that is still a possibility,” said Warnock ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Barnsley at the Riverside.

“If that opportunity comes up then I will ask the question. It would be a loan. I know if they can support me, Steve and Neil, they will do.

“I think a lot of the top clubs now will have players who can’t get in the squad, and those ten days after Monday will be a busy time with the loan market.

“If we can get the right ones in, I wouldn’t say no to bringing another defender in.

“At the moment, I’d just rather put my priority into finding a player who can help us create more goals for us.”

Boro also had plans to loan out some of their younger players to gain more first-team experience, yet outgoings could depend on who comes in.

Nathan Wood, 18, looked like one of the players who was set to go out on loan, yet a shortage of centre-backs could force Boro to reassess their options.

Winger Sam Folarin, 20, also impressed Warnock during pre-season and may be needed over a long and arduous campaign.

“I’ve been really pleased with certain lads who have come into the squad so we’ll be looking at them,” said Warnock when asked about players potentially leaving on loan.

“If I could loan players out like young Sam I would loan them out but I have to make sure I look after myself as well.

“Between now and January we have to be careful, I know Sam can come on for half an hour and contribute.

“I might just have to deny them an opportunity for them to go on loan until after January some of these lads, but at the moment I think we have one of the smallest squads in the league really.”

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