Transfer news: Middlesbrough push for new signings as Neil Warnock reveals why Premier League deals collapsed

Warnock revealed last week that Boro had agreed to sign a winger on loan – yet the Premier League have since pulled the plug on the deal.

Boro were also tracking another striker who they thought would be available but have been told that player is no longer available either.

The Teessiders have been operating with a thin squad for the first half of the season, while injuries to Marcus Tavernier, Dael Fry and Anfernee Dijksteel last week presented more challenges.

“This can’t be the squad for the rest of the season – we’ve got to get players in,” said Warnock when asked about transfers.

"I’ll be bringing players in. It’s just working out how I’m going to get them in and what it’s going to take to do that. It’s probably going to be a case of going back on a few things, although one or two more names have cropped up in the last 12 hours.

"We are short in certain areas, and if we are going to make a push for it from February onwards, we’ve got to have a little bit more cover for when the likes of Dijksteel, Dael and Tav are missing.

"We’ve got to have a bigger squad in those areas. We have to bring in at least a couple – ideally two or three.”

When asked about the players he hoped would sign for Boro, Warnock replied: “In one particular case I was told two days ago it was 100 per cent happening.

“So to find out things had changed yesterday was disappointing to say the least. You miss out on some targets and things happen like that.

"We've always had a small squad but when you lose three or four of your main players, you have to try and bring a bit in so I'm hoping we can do something in the next few days.

On one of the players Boro missed out on, Warnock added: "They said certain players who they were expecting to be fit haven't got fit in time so they can't risk fringe players going out.

"If you're a Premier League manager, why worry about other people or players getting games? You just look after yourself really.”

Boro have been exploring the loan market in recent weeks but are constantly assessing their options, whether that be looking at players who are out of contract in the summer or free agents.

“You never know, if players become available,” replied Warnock when asked if Boro could explore at the free agent market.

“I think towards the end of the window there will be quite a few players who are out of contract in the summer, their clubs are going to take offers because they don’t want to lose them for nothing.

“I think that’s not just the same with our strikers but we’re looking at other players at other clubs who we want as well.

“There will be one or two available and it’s about getting value for money really.”

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