We Are Middlesbrough

Image source, Rex Features

So, what did you make of Middlesbrough's January transfer dealings?

Boro made six notable additions to their squad with forwards Morgan Whittaker and Kelechi Iheanacho joining from Plymouth and Sevilla respectively.

Winger Samuel Iling-Junior came in from Aston Villa while defender Ryan Giles from Hull City and Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers also arrived on loan.

Middlesbrough were also able to complete a permanent deal for defender George Edmundson from Ipswich after his temporary spell over the first half of the season.

Leading scorer Emmanuel Latte Lath is set for a move away to Atlanta United in MLS with other major departures being midfielder Alex Gilbert on loan to Charlton, defender Matt Clarke to Derby and forward Isaiah Jones to Luton.

Is all this enough to get Michael Carrick's side into the Championship play-offs at the end of the season?

Let us know your thoughts here.

Image source, Rex Features

Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick has confirmed winger Ben Doak will be out for a number of weeks because of a thigh injury.

The on-loan Liverpool player missed Monday night's 3-2 home defeat by Sunderland in the Championship.

"He felt his thigh in training, and we'll have to see. It's probably a number of weeks, if anything, not days, but I don't think it'll be too long," Carrick told BBC Radio Tees.

Middlesbrough signed Doak on a season-long loan in August, and despite speculation he could be recalled in the January transfer window, he will remain at the Riverside for the remainder of the campaign.

Boro completed the signings of Aston Villa winger Samuel Iling-Junior and former Manchester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho on deadline day, ahead of the loss to Sunderland.

Image source, Rex Features

Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick admitted that Ryan Giles' 87th minute own-goal was a 'horrible way' to lose the Tees-Wear derby.

Boro had led 1-0 through Delano Burgzorg and pulled it back to 2-2 through Hayden Hackney's fine strike, but Giles' unfortunate contribution settled the match in Sunderland's favour.

Defeat keeps Boro in seventh, outside the play-offs on goal difference from West Bromwich Albion.

"It's a horrible way to lose a game, especially a game of this significance and stature," he said.

"To lose the game and concede those goals, an own goal and a deflection is difficult but we have to accept it.

"We started the game ever so well, went ahead, looked like we could add to that and were in a really good place.

"There was a two-goal swing which we dealt with well and we came back into it well, but we kind of drifted second half and didn't do enough."

Image source, Rex Features

Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick said there is "always a plan" amid rumours of a departure for striker Emmanuel Latte Lath.

The Ivory Coast international is an injury doubt for Monday's blockbuster match against Sunderland (20:00 GMT) after needing to be withdrawn in their loss to Preston North End on Saturday.

It may be that the striker is no longer even part of the Boro line-up come the game against the Black Cats, having been linked with a move away from the club in the January transfer window, but the 26-year-old remains in Carrick's plans.

"Emmanuel Latte Lath came off injured last week, we're seeing how quickly he's going to be fit. Until there's anything to report, we work with the players and prepare for the next game," he told BBC Radio Tees.

"There's always a plan surrounding the balance of the squad. A lot of work goes on behind the scenes to come out of the transfer window in a good place."

Meanwhile, forward Tommy Conway has returned to training but fans will have to "wait and see" if he'll be ready for Monday night.

Image source, Getty Images

Middlesbrough have brought in teenager Josh Dede from Celtic on a permanent deal.

The 19-year-old, who can play right-back or right winger, will initially join up with Boro's under-21 squad.

He did not play for Celtic's first-team, but featured in their age-group sides as well as playing for Scotland Under-19s.

Dede is the fifth arrival on Teesside this month following Ryan Giles, George Edmundson, Morgan Whittaker and Mark Travers.

Tottenham will allow 19-year-old forward Will Lankshear to leave on loan before Monday's transfer deadline, with Burnley, Middlesbrough, West Brom, Cardiff and Luton keen on the England Under-20 international. (Football.London), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column.

All eyes will be on the Riverside on Monday night as Middlesbrough and Sunderland face-off in a Tees-Wear derby (20:00 GMT) which will be screened on free-to-air TV.

The Black Cats sit fourth and will be hoping to keep up the pace in the race for automatic promotion while two places but 11 points behind them, Boro will be seeking to solidify their spot in the play-offs.

• Middlesbrough have lost just two of their past 27 home league games against Sunderland (W16 D9), remaining unbeaten across their last six home outings against the Black Cats.

• After winning the reverse fixture 1-0 in September, Sunderland are looking to record a first league double over Middlesbrough since the 1961-62 season.

• Middlesbrough have lost two of their past three league games (W1), as many as in their prior 13 league outings combined (W6 D5).

• Sunderland have lost just two of their past 11 away league games (W4 D5), keeping a clean sheet in five of those matches. They will be looking to win consecutive away matches in the Championship for the first time since October, however.

• Heading into this weekend, Finn Azaz has created more chances than any other player in the Championship this season (62). Indeed, only Borja Sainz (18) has been directly involved in more goals than the Boro man in the same time (17 – eight goals, nine assists)

Middlesbrough's move for former Leeds midfielder Glen Kamara could be off, with the Finland international, who has also been linked with Sunderland and Burnley, now reportedly ready to move to Saudi side Al Shabab. (Northern Echo, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column.