Neil Warnock makes transfer admission plus reported Middlesbrough target free to leave Rangers

Boro have just 10 more days to prepare for the start of their 2020/21 campaign, which will start with a Carabao Cup tie against Shrewsbury on Friday, September 4, yet the squad still looks extremely thin.

George Friend, Daniel Ayala, Ryan Shotton, Adam Clayton and Rudy Gestede have all left the club in the last few months while several loan players have also departed.

Speaking to TalkSPORT on Tuesday morning, Warnock said: "We have lost quite a few players over the summer.

"We've lost eight and only signed one so it is a bit nerve-racking at the moment.

"I'm sure it will change over the next couple of weeks. I think as time goes on everybody then decides to sign the players they want and let other players go."

Jordan Jones free to leave Rangers

One player who has been on Boro’s radar is former playmaker Jordan Jones.

The 25-year-old has made a name for himself in Scotland since leaving the Riverside in 2016 but is now surplus to requirements at Rangers under Steven Gerrard.

Jones has also been capped by Northern Ireland and called up for the Green and White Army’s upcoming Nations League matches against Romania and Norway next month.

National boss Ian Baraclough was asked about Jones ahead of the matches, to which he replied: "Jordan is someone I have spoken to several times.

"I want to help players be settled at their clubs or find new clubs and be there for them to pick up a phone and speak to.

"If we can help them in any shape or form, it is our job to do that. Jordan is an exciting talent. He wants to play football and regular games to give himself the best chance of performing on the international stage.

"At this moment in time, Rangers is a competitive squad and Steven Gerrard has spoken to him and said he can find a new club if that comes up. Hopefully that can be sorted pretty soon and hopefully he can get settled into a new club, new surroundings and then he can go and perform for us like we think he can.

"We have real exciting, young players with pace and an eye for goal and Jordan is one of those."

Stojanovic on standby

Finally Boro keeper Dejan Stojanovic has been put on standby for Austria’s Nations League matches against Norway and Romania.

The 27-year-old was included in the provisional squad but missed the cut for his first senior call-up.

It means, assuming there are no late drop outs, the stopper should be available for Boro’s season opener against Shrewsbury.

The Teessiders are set to be without midfield duo George Saville and Paddy McNair who have been called up by Northern Ireland, yet the pair should return in time for Boro’s first Championship match against Watford on Saturday, September 12.

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