Where Middlesbrough stand on free agents as Neil Warnock provides Britt Assombalonga update ahead of Coventry and Nottingham Forest

Boro’s squad remains thin after the Teessiders missed out on several transfer targets earlier this month, with striker options particularly limited.

Warnock has previously said he’s looked at forwards who could be available on a free transfer, yet finances will play a part.

When asked by the Mail if Boro could still sign players who don’t have a club, Warnock replied: “Not at the moment, it’s something that we have to keep an eye on but at the moment I don’t think anything will be happening at the minute.

“I have looked at a couple but at the minute we won’t be signing anybody.

“We are looking into all aspects as you have to do as a manager, different positions if we do lose players, who is available on a free transfer.”

Warnock was hopeful the club could make more signings during the transfer window, yet the impact of the coronavirus pandemic has altered the plans of many English clubs.

Boro have played with a 3-5-2 formation for most of this season due to the players available, while Warnock has been forced to use players in different positions.

“I don’t think I’m in a position to ask Steve Gibson for any more money,” Warnock added.

“He’s kept pumping it in left right and centre, in an ideal world I might have brought a couple more in but it’s not worked out like that.

“The summer hasn’t been anything like what I thought since I came up here to try and keep them in the league.

“I thought at the end of the season we could do this, we could do that and we haven’t been able to do that and I understand that.

“We have to work with what we’ve got and make them better players.”

Warnock confirmed he will have Britt Assombalonga available for Tuesday’s Championship meeting with Coventry at the Riverside.

The Boro captain missed last week’s trip to Bristol City with an adductor injury but came off the bench during Saturday’s draw at Cardiff.

Boro will then face Nottingham Forest at the Riverside on Saturday.

A message from the Football Clubs Editor

Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Middlesbrough coverage 365 days a year.

This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription to our new sports-only package here.

Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor