MIDDLESBROUGH are willing to play the waiting game as they assess their transfer window striker options but will only bolster the frontline if the right player becomes available - and they're keen to ensure they don't halt the progress of Josh Coburn and Emmanuel Latte Lath.

Boro are today set to make an early January breakthrough with the capture of Finn Azaz from Aston Villa.

Attention will then quickly turn to strengthening in other areas, with a defender a priority - most likely on loan - while Boro are also closely monitoring the market for a striker.

As much as Boro would like to add one more frontman to their ranks, they'll only push for players who they deem to be the right fit. If the right opportunity presents itself, Boro will strike, but they won't bring in a player for the sake of it and risk slowing the progression of Coburn and Latte Lath, who are developing well this season.

Boro have and continue to sound out potential targets but will keep an open mind on the striker situation. If the right opportunity to sign a player who Boro deem a good fit does arise, it will likely be later in the month and a loan deal.

It's understood Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland who was linked this week is not a player on Boro's radar as things stand.

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One thing that's absolutely not in doubt this month is the future of Coburn. The 21-year-old looked set to go out on loan in the summer before a late change of heart from Boro and has since established himself as a key figure in Carrick's side.

Regardless of what happens regarding incomings in the coming weeks there is, Carrick confirmed on Thursday, no chance that Coburn heads out on loan this month.

Despite missing the bulk of pre-season through injury and only recently returning from another setback, Coburn has five goals this term.

Carrick said: "Giving players the opportunity and the chance to see what they can do is important, it goes back to not being too judgemental on a week to week basis or over a month.

"It's about trying to give the lads a chance over a period of time and Josh has improved so much since he come back in pre-season. Experience and game-time helps that, training with the boys, and naturally the age he's at. He's done really well and he came back from his injury particularly well."

While Coburn and Latte Lath are the only two recognised strikers on the books, Boro aren't overly concerned about a lack of goals in their ranks. Morgan Rogers has six this season and Matt Crooks, Riley McGree, Sam Greenwood and Isaiah Jones have all scored five. Boro have Marcus Forss to return from injury while incoming Azaz scored seven for Plymouth in the first half of the season.

Bolstering a backline that has been decimated by injuries in recent months is an obvious priority this month, with a loan signing most likely.

A number of defenders have already been linked, including Leeds United's Luke Ayling, though Boro's rivals are one full-back down after cutting short Djed Spence's loan deal on Thursday. One player who has been linked but is not on Boro's radar is former QPR and Coventry full-back Todd Kane.