MICHAEL CARRICK claims this week’s signing of Luke Ayling proves Middlesbrough are willing to adopt a flexible approach to the transfer market.

Ayling joined Boro on loan from Leeds United on Wednesday and is set to go straight into the squad for tomorrow’s Championship game at Millwall.

Under the guidance of head of football, Kieran Scott, the Teessiders have been developing a new transfer approach in the last couple of years that has seen them increasingly prioritise the purchase of young, relatively inexperienced players with considerable development potential.

At the age of 32, Ayling hardly fits that template, but his inexperience could be invaluable in the second half of the season and his ability to play at both right-back and centre-half helps Boro considerably given their ongoing injury issues in both positions.

Scott has always maintained that he is happy to veer away from the preferred model if the situation demands it, and Carrick feels this week’s events prove he is as good as his word.

“You’ve got to find the balance,” said the Boro boss. “Credit to Steve (Gibson), Neil (Bausor) and Kieran for that. They have a plan, but they’re open-minded also.

“We know, longer-term, how we want to build a team and a squad and the club. But at certain points, you have to get the balance right. At this time, we feel Luke is the ideal fit for the spot we had to fill. In terms of his character and his experience, it’s important. They’re the example to the younger boys, and he certainly is that.”

Ayling follows Finn Azaz through the entrance door at Rockliffe Hall, with the attacking midfielder having signed on a permanent basis from Aston Villa after spending the first half of the season on loan at Plymouth Argyle.

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It is to Boro’s credit that they have managed to land two of their leading targets within the opening ten days of the transfer window rather than relying on a deadline-day dash to try to improve their squad.

Attention now shifts to the forward positions, with Emmanuel Latte Lath’s latest injury setback having once again highlighted the lack of alternatives to Josh Coburn, who will almost certainly have to start at the Den this weekend despite having played for more than 90 minutes on Tuesday night after suffering injury issues of his own in the last couple of months.

Signing another forward would seem to be essential this month, although Carrick is adamant he does not want to bring someone in just to increase the attacking numbers at his disposal.

“We have to be careful now,” he said. “We don’t want to make signings with just the next week or two in mind. We make the signings for the right reasons and for the longer term.

“Sometimes, you’re thinking to just the end of the season, sometimes it’s beyond that even. We feel we’ve got good options and we’re flexible as well - there are players who can play in numerous positions to accommodate what we need.

“That can be a real strength. That’s not to say we’re not still trill trying to improve the group. You’ve always got to look to do that. But it just depends what pops up and whether we can deal with what’s ahead. But, for sure, at the moment, we can make it work.”

Ayling’s arrival should help defensively, with the Londoner having made almost 550 senior appearances and having been a regular starter for Leeds for the first two months of this season.

“We’re delighted to have Luke,” said Carrick. “He’s proven at this level and Premier League level. He’s experienced a lot and knows what it takes to be successful.

“We’re delighted for different reasons - his character, his attitude as a person and how he carries himself. He’s going to be a big asset for us, with his quality as well. It’s a big boost to the squad and the team.

“I’ve looked from afar and admired him from afar for quite some time. I’ve played against him a couple of times as well. When the opportunity came, we jumped at the chance.”