Middlesbrough weigh up defender move as Neil Warnock looks to bolster options in the January transfer window

The Teessiders have one of the best defensive records in the Championship this campaign – only Swansea and Watford have conceded less goals in the second tier – yet Boro’s lack of options could become a real concern.

Dael Fry and Paddy McNair have started the team’s last 13 league games at the back – in fact the former has played every minute of every Championship match this season, and been a regular for Northern Ireland.

Warnock also has 18-year-old Nathan Wood to call upon after the teenager impressed on his first league start against Nottingham Forest in October, and against Brentford in the FA Cup.

Boro have considered sending Wood out on loan to gain more first-team experience, yet that would leave an alarming lack of options in the centre-back area.

Left-back Marc Bola was forced to play in the middle of defence at Brentford on Saturday, with Warnock admitting afterwards ‘we ran out of options.’

Grant Hall is expected to return to training in the next few weeks following a thigh issue, yet the 29-year-old’s injury record will mean there’s an element of caution about his return.

Warnock has admitted he enquired about signing another centre-back, reported to be Liverpool’s Rhys Williams, on loan in the summer but the Premier League club wanted assurances over regular game time.

That is the problem when you have an established partnership like Fry and McNair, players won’t want to come and play second fiddle.

In an ideal world Warnock will be able to sign someone who can play across the backline, providing competition for full-backs Marc Bola and Anfernee Dijksteel while allowing Boro to switch to a back three when required.

Djed Spence and Hayden Coulson are also options at full-back but are seen as more attacking players and don’t always offer as much defensive security.

Despite Hall’s long-term setback, Boro have been fortunate that Fry and McNair have been available week in, week out over the last few months.

That may not alway be the case during a long and arduous season and Warnock is conscious of the need for cover.

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