Middlesbrough weigh up move for sixth signing of the transfer window plus fresh Blackburn claims concerning Aynsley Pears

The Boro boss will have been pleased to complete the signing of Patrick Roberts on a season-long loan deal from Manchester City earlier this week, but has admitted many times his squad remains thin.

Warnock and his recruitment team have been enquiring about players behind the scenes since Boro’s 2-1 win over Barnsley, with defensive reinforcements at the top of the agenda.

Boro have been playing with a back three this season but are set to be without new signing Grant Hall for another few weeks due to a calf injury.

Paddy McNair, Dael Fry and Anfernee Dijksteel started in the Teessiders’ back three against Barnsley, yet there is clearly a lack of alternatives ahead of a hectic run of seven games in 22 days.

Warnock has also said he would like to sign a fourth striker and has been taking a closer look at attacking alternatives following Ashley Fletcher’s hamstring injury.

Any deal will have to be financially-viable, though, after Warnock said he wasn’t prepared to spend silly money, and that loan acquisitions are most likely.

Boro had also planned to send some of their younger players out on loan, yet that will depend on who comes in.

The future of goalkeeper Aynsley Pears also remains unclear following the arrival of new stopper Marcus Bettinelli.

Pears was linked with a move to Blackburn earlier in the window, while the Sun’s Alan Nixon has claimed Rovers have revived their interest.

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