STEVE McClaren has reluctantly accepted that he might be unable to sign anybody this month, despite admitting he has new players recommended to him "every day".

The Middlesbrough boss has spent most of January scouring Europe for a left-back to provide cover for Franck Queudrue and a central midfielder to plug the gap left by injured duo George Boateng and Gaizka Mendieta.

But recent injuries to Chris Riggott and Ugo Ehiogu have exposed an alarming lack of cover at the back.

That weakness was vividly illustrated in last weekend's 4-4 draw at Norwich, and McClaren has switched his attention towards a centre-half.

He thought he was close to securing Celtic's Bobo Balde last week, only for Boro chief executive Keith Lamb to rule out paying a fee for a player who will be available for nothing in the summer.

Similarly, McClaren approached Juventus this week to inquire about Igor Tudor, but Juve director general Luciano Moggi dismissed any notion of the Croatian leaving Turin.

With the transfer window due to close on Monday, McClaren is rapidly running out of options as he looks to maintain the club's European push.

And, while he started January hoping to add at least two new bodies, he is rapidly accepting he could end the month empty-handed.

"I think we're short of cover at centre-half," admitted McClaren, who will make another emotional return to Old Trafford on Saturday, when Boro take on Manchester United in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

"The spine of the side has been affected, but finding players at the moment is horrendous.

"It has become very frustrating - not just the transfer market which has been quiet for a lot of clubs, it's also the fact that major injuries have disrupted our season after we were going so well.

"These are injuries which we could do nothing about. For instance, we thought Ugo would be a big player for us in the second half of the season.

"But we're still looking, still enquiring, and we have people recommended to us every day."

* Boro are reportedly looking at AC Milan defender Fabricio Coloccini to add muscle to their bid for a top-four finish.

Boro are trying to take the tough Argentine centre-back on loan for the rest of the season with a view to a permanent £2m deal.

* Walsall player-manager Paul Merson will remain manager of the club despite offering his resignation after their 5-0 thrashing by Colchester. Merson informed club owner Jeff Bonser of his decision to quit the League One side but his resignation was not accepted.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.