What Middlesbrough fans can expect to happen on transfer deadline day

Yet finishing the month in the fashion they started it may prove a trickier task, with Boro head coach Jonathan Woodgate still hopeful of ‘one or two’ more signings before tonight’s 11pm deadline.

After addressing the forward areas of the pitch following the turn of the year, the priority is now bringing in another centre-back to shore up Boro’s injury-hit backline.

Several targets have been assessed in recent weeks, with Leicester’s Filip Benkovic and Burnley’s Ben Gibson somewhere near the top of the list.

Both could be available on loan this month, yet it’s likely their parent clubs would want to find a replacement first.

That could prompt Boro to pursue other targets as time runs out, with loan deals once again the most viable option.

The other area the Teessiders will look to strengthen is out wide, especially after Roberts was ruled out for six to eight weeks with a hamstring injury earlier this week.

Roberts’ absence will come as a huge blow for Woodgate after the 22-year-old made an impressive start to his Boro career.

In terms of outgoings, it seems unlikely we’ll see a high-profile departure from the Riverside before 11pm.

Woodgate didn’t rule anything out in Wednesday’s press conference, though, despite a lack of offers so far.