MICHAEL Carrick and Middlesbrough's recruitment team are on the same page when it comes to priorities in this summer's transfer window, with the head coach echoing the thoughts of Kieran Scott in stressing the desire to focus on quality rather than quantity.

Carrick says he wants to add "a few bits" to his squad as Boro's boss plots a Championship promotion push next term.

The former Manchester United and England midfielder, who this week committed his future to Boro by signing a new three-year contract, was delighted to kick-start the summer with the permanent capture of Luke Ayling, who was so impressive during a half-season loan at the Riverside from January.

And attention has quickly shifted to further strengthening the squad in three priority positions.

After an overhaul 12 months ago, there's far less work required in the coming window, with the focus instead on adding quality to a squad that finished last season in encouraging fashion with just one defeat in their last 12 games.

A central midfielder, a striker and a versatile forward player who is at home playing at No.10 are top of the wishlist after the early breakthrough, with left-back an area that could be addressed as well. On the right, Ayling, says Carrick, adds crucial balance on the pitch and in the dressing room.

“I feel like we’ve got a settled squad, or certainly a nucleus of that," the head coach told the club website.

"Obviously bringing Luke [Ayling] in last week was a big boost for us all. The impact he had at the end of the season was clear to see and ultimately it’s balancing the squad, having really good senior players as well as the young assets.

"I was blessed throughout my playing career to see how important and influential getting that right balance is, needing the hungry, young talents that can excite people as well as the lads who are in their peak years, or coming into the peak years, with a bit more experience.

"I feel, with the run we went on at the end of the season, even with a big number of the boys still missing, it offers a lot of encouragement. The key now is just adding bits here and there to enhance all the positives of last season and freshen things up to a point. But I think we’re in a good place moving forward.”

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Boro weathered several storms last season and Carrick had to deal with an injury crisis that at one point meant he had a full team of senior players sidelined. But good might well come from those testing times.

“In a strange way, the injuries have maybe helped with that feeling of being in a stronger position squad-wise because certain players were therefore able to benefit from more game-time and experience than might have been the case," said Carrick.

"I think we’ve learned a lot over the last six to nine months that I think can really benefit us. I hope the players are coming back in for pre-season maybe feeling more established or part of the team than they did before. I think we’ve got a better blend now."