Neil Warnock reveals Middlesbrough's transfer position as club assess Premier League options

Boro will look to bolster their options in the new year and improve a thin squad but potential signings will depend on a number of factors.

The Teessiders have nine more games before the transfer window reopens and Warnock is well aware of the injury risks.

Financial implications will also have to be considered as clubs continue to operate with reduced revenue streams due to games being played behind closed doors.

When asked by the Mail about Boro’s transfer plans, Warnock said: “We have quite a large recruitment office but at the moment we aren’t looking abroad which is what they’ve been doing over the last few years because of this Brexit thing.

“We’re looking at our contacts really to bring players in, are they better than what we’ve got, looking ahead if we’ve got any offers for our players.

“We are looking at all sorts of things and have to try and keep on the front foot because things change every week with injuries and all of a sudden you have more important positions to fill.”

Warnock has said he doesn’t want to sign people just to make the numbers up and is looking for players who can challenge for a first-team spot

That is proving challenging though, especially after Boro’s strong start to the season.

“I have to say the list that I’ve got hasn’t really impressed me if I’m honest,” Warnock added.

“There’s nothing on it that makes me think they are better than what we’ve got. We might end up going with what we’ve got and crossing our fingers a bit more.

“We have a chat with the recruitment office and they have been in the past just working abroad.

“That’s not really possible now so they are looking at all the Premier League teams and players who have been bombed out or may be available in the positions that I’m looking at.

“Then they come up with names, some of the names are quite good which I’ve already told them and they’ve looked into it, but financially we might not be able to afford some of these.

“I’m obviously going to try and bring one or two in but it’s not a good time to shop in January.”

Warnock has previously said he expects some Premier League clubs will be looking at Boro’s players in January.

For that reason, the Teessiders have been trying to negotiate new contracts with some of their key players, with Anfernee Dijksteel and Jonny Howson recently signing new deals.

When asked if Boro will be forced to sell anyone in January, Warnock replied: “I don’t think Steve (Gibson) would sell anyone that I didn’t want to sell.

“It would have to be ridiculous figures.

“At the moment we’re trying to cement the club and put it on a forward footing and make sure we’ve got the squad on extended contracts as much as we can so we can go into the next few years with the confidence of a squad that have been together.”

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