Middlesbrough remain on track in the transfer market despite Neil Warnock's absence says first-team asistant Kevin Blackwell

The Boro boss has been self-isolating for ten days after testing positive for COVID-19 but returned to Rockliffe on Friday and has been in constant communication with his staff.

Blackwell and fellow assistant Ronnie Jepson took charge of the team during Boro’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth last time out and will do so again at QPR this weekend.

Boro could hand a start to new signing Chuba Akpom at Loftus Road after became the club’s fourth signing of the transfer window last Saturday.

The club are still looking to make a couple more additions before next month’s October 16 domestic deadline, yet Blackwell believes they remain on track.

When asked by the Mail if Warnock’s absence has knocked Boro back in the transfer market, Blackwell repled: "No, because I’m sure Neil has been talking with the chairman and discussing things there.

"I can honestly say I haven’t been involved this week so I can’t give you an update on that at this moment in time."

With Boro’s recruitment team, and Warnock, taking cae of matters off the field, Blackwell has been focusing on developing players already at the club.

“I’ve lost Neil, so I’ve been trying to look after the football club without trying to do transfers,” added Blackwell who has previously managed the likes of Leeds and Sheffield United.

“We’ve been concentrating on the fitness of players and the game.

People always ask me, ‘Blacky do you miss managing?’ To be honest, not really. This is the part I really don’t miss - doing the transfers.

“I leave that stuff to Neil and the club, and I know they’re working as hard as they can to try and get the right calibre of player in. As I’ve said before, I know this football doesn’t want to sign just any player, it’s got to be the right player."

When asked what area he feels Boro still need to strengthen, Blackwell replied: “I’m not dealing with that. I’m just dealing with the day-to-day at the football club.

“Thankfully the transfer stuff has been put to the side this week and I’m sure Neil will be straight back on with it next week.”

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