MIDDLESBROUGH continue to explore their defensive options as they approach the final 24 hours of the summer transfer window, with a move for Ipswich Town's George Edmundson being considered.

With Michael Carrick not yet able to put a timeframe on a return for injured duo Dael Fry and Darragh Lenihan and Rav van den Berg having also been nursing a problem in the last week, Boro are considering adding a centre-half to their ranks ahead of Friday's 11pm deadline.

A move for Edmundson - who will be allowed to leave Ipswich - is a possibility but Boro are also assessing other options.

Boro, meanwhile, are unconcerned by reports claiming Fulham are admirers of van den Berg. As has been made clear throughout the summer, it would take an eye-watering offer for Boro to even remotely consider letting any of their star assets move on.

One player whose future remains uncertain at this stage, however, is Josh Coburn, with Carrick admitting for the first time there's "plenty of interest" in the striker.

Millwall have identified Coburn as a leading target and have held talks with Boro, while Preston are now said to have joined the race for the 21-year-old.

Coburn has slipped down the pecking order after the arrival of Tommy Conway, which has given Boro a decision to make on the Bedale-born striker.

Carrick said: "There's plenty of interest in Josh and plenty of teams would love to have him but from my point of view nothing has changed as yet.

"What I will say, it's not just Josh, it's alright me sitting here now but there's still more than a day to go and a lot can change.

"Some things can come out from nowhere but I'm calm with the way it's going and our decisions are being made for the right reasons and we'll hopefully come out better for it."

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While calm going into the final hours of the window, Boro are wary of leaving themselves short at the back, hence the late push to strengthen in that area of the pitch.

Ipswich won't stand in the way of a move for Edmundson, who featured 15 times for the Tractor Boys in all competitions last season and came off the bench in the last minute of the weekend defeat to Manchester City in the Premier League, but Portsmouth, Blackburn, Hull and Watford have also been linked. Carrick, though, is close friends with Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna.

"It's a constant evaluation of where we are and the balance of the squad," said Boro's boss when pressed on the centre-half situation and likelihood of a new arrival.

"Who's injured? Is there little gaps we need to fill? Just because lads are injured doesn't mean we need to replace them by any stretch because they'll be back fit. There's a decision that's ongoing during the season, not just when the window is open.

"The other side of it is how short term do you look and how much do you value the next few games and how long the injuries are. There's a lot that goes into it. We'll assess that."

The Fulham van den Berg link emerged from the capital earlier on Thursday.

Carrick said: "We have a really good squad and good players and when you have good players it's understandable that they're talked about. And it's understandable that maybe some teams are looking at them.

"It's natural at this stage of the window that ramps up and the rumour mill and what's true and what's not really.

"As we stand, we're the same. Rav is a terrific player, he's had a really good season and we're delighted with the way he's going."