MIDDLESBROUGH continue to work around the clock in the transfer market in a bid to strengthen their squad, but Michael Carrick admits he's not sure at this stage whether there'll be any more new faces through the door before next Saturday's Championship kick-off.

Boro have added seven new players to their ranks this summer but are still in the market for at least three more new signings - with strikers and a left-back the priority.

Boro's shortage in those areas was evident in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Auxerre, with Carrick experimenting with Riley McGree at left-back in the second half and Morgan Rogers - a versatile forward rather than out-and-out striker - again leading the line up-front.

Boro's cause hasn't been helped by the fact they're also without key duo Chuba Akpom and Jonny Howson, who are both injured - as is Josh Coburn, who would have had the opportunity to stake a real claim this summer had he not picked up a knee injury in Portugal.

Despite Boro's shortage in certain areas, Carrick, who is in close contact with the recruitment team, remains calm, though admits he's not sure at this stage that the tireless work going on behind the scenes will result in a breakthrough before the visit of Millwall on Saturday.

“Maybe, is the honest answer. I don’t really know if we’ll have any more in before Millwall, to be honest," said the head coach.

"I’ve said it to you all summer long, we’re looking to improve the squad and add to the group and that won’t change this week in terms of how much we’ll be trying. But we’ve been trying for quite some time and we just haven’t managed to get the right things in place at the right time yet. Hopefully that is soon."

READ MORE:

The transfer deadline isn't until Friday, September 1, and although Carrick - like most bosses - would prefer the window to close before the season starts, he's calm in the knowledge that Boro still have almost five weeks to bolster their squad.

He said: "The window goes on for a bit longer, which I think we all struggle to understand why - the season starting while the window is still open. But, it is what it is. We’ve got to deal with that, and we’ll make the best of it.

"I'm not frustrated, it is what it is. It doesn't really make sense, I think we all agree, but I'm not frustrated, it is what it is and it's not going to change. No problem."