MIDDLESBROUGH continue to be interested in Rotherham United duo Dan Barlaser and Chiedozie Ogbene, with Millers boss Matt Taylor admitting he will have to maintain a constant dialogue with the duo in the final week of the transfer window.

Boro have already had one bid for Barlaser rejected, and are expected to return with another offer ahead of next Tuesday’s transfer deadline. The Teessiders have made the 26-year-old their number one midfield target this month as they look to secure a central-midfield alternative to their current first-choice pairing of Jonny Howson and Hayden Hackney.

They also have an interest in Ogbene, a 25-year-old winger who boasts 13 senior caps with the Republic of Ireland. Ogbene, who has also been heavily linked with Millwall and Swansea City, is valued at around £2m and is currently in the last six months of his contract at the New York Stadium.

Taylor accepts he could lose both players in the next seven days, but has been delighted with their professionalism and commitment in the last couple of weeks.

“They seem to be (fully on board),” said the Rotherham boss. “As the window heats up and comes to a head, then you just don’t know how people will react. So, we are constantly monitoring each and every situation. But I cannot speak highly enough of this group.”

Boro suffered only their third league defeat under Michael Carrick on Sunday as they were beaten by Sunderland in the Wear-Tees derby. The result leaves Boro sitting in sixth position in the table, with Carrick confident his players will bounce back on Saturday when they take on another of their promotion rivals, Watford.

“If you’re going to be successful and achieve things in football, you’re going to have days where it doesn’t quite happen for you,” said the Boro boss. “Most of the time, you learn more from the experience of a setback, in terms of what it was like in the game, individually and as a team, and how you cope with certain scenarios and do better next time.

“The boys have been great and have earned a lot of credit over the last two or three months. Now, we’re looking to what’s next. Watford in the next game in front of us to bounce back.”