Edwards looking to unlock more Boro creativity

Rob Edwards' Middlesbrough have collected 18 points from their opening nine games

Middlesbrough head coach Rob Edwards says he is looking to increase his side's attacking potential as the Championship returns on Friday.

Boro host Ipswich Town (20:00 BST) as they try to respond to their first defeat of the season at Portsmouth last time out.

That loss knocked them off the top of the table with Coventry City overtaking them, while it was also a second consecutive game without a goal.

Boro have the joint-best defensive record in the division with only six conceded in nine matches, but it is at the top end where Edwards wants more.

"We've been very solid, one of the best in the league, which is great and everyone needs a solid foundation," the ex-Luton Town boss told BBC Radio Tees.

"Then we want to find that balance between maintaining that and obviously creating a little bit more.

"In recent games that has been a little bit more challenging."

Middlesbrough had a busy transfer window with 11 new players joining the club.

In attack, they have included Slovakia striker David Strelec, Senegalese forward Kaly Sene and winger Sontje Hansen, who has just made his debut for Curacao, with all three new to English football.

Sene has scored twice, and the other two one each, but Edwards understands that the trio are still settling in to the environment.

"It's not going to be click the fingers and things are perfect straight away," he said. "People have got to build up a rapport, they've got to understand each other's games.

"That will still take some time, there's no doubt about it."