MIDDLESBROUGH have been monitoring a number of players ahead of today's Football League loan deadline, but Tony Mowbray is expected to keep his powder dry until the turn of the year.

The Boro boss is keen to strengthen some key areas of his squad as he looks to keep his side in the promotion places, with a lack of attacking cover continuing to present a problem.

Mowbray continues to covet Coventry City striker Lucas Jutkiewicz, who is also attracting interest from Championship pace-setters Southampton, and has discussed possible moves for a number of Premier League fringe players who are struggling to get a game for their club.

However, with finances tight, and Alex Nimely's loan spell from Manchester City not due to end until the latter part of next month, he will not be rushing through a deal ahead of the loan deadline.

Instead, he will wait until the transfer window reopens for good at the turn of the year and assess his options once he has finalised a transfer budget with chairman Steve Gibson.

That budget will take into account any departures from the Riverside, so with Mowbray insisting he is not under pressure to sell any of the club's leading assets, it is unlikely that major changes will take place in January.

While interest is anticipated in both Rhys Williams and Matthew Bates, it will take a major offer for Boro officials to consider selling either.

That will reduce the likelihood of significant funds being available for arrivals at the turn of the year, even though Mowbray is hoping Gibson will loosen the purse strings if an attractive deal presents itself.

It had been hoped that deal might involve Jutkiewicz, but Southampton's sudden interest in the striker could mean he is not on the market come 2012.

Coventry boss Andy Thorn remains keen to keep the Pole at the Ricoh Arena, but accepts the situation could be taken out of his hands later today.

Southampton boss Nigel Adkins is expected to offer a loan deal, with a view to a permanent transfer next summer, a proposal that is likely to appeal to the Coventry board.

"I would love to keep Jutkiewicz, absolutely," said Thorn. "But I think the game is decided elsewhere when it comes to who stays and who doesn't.

"I've got to get on with whatever happens, that's not me bleating, that's how it is unfortunately."

Another option open to Mowbray would be an extension of Nimely's loan, but it is understood the City youngster has not done enough to warrant further interest in his services.

Nimely arrived with a big reputation when he left the Etihad Stadium, but is yet to record either a goal or a Championship start in a Boro shirt.

While Boro will not be adding to their squad later today, one of their fringe players completed a temporary move away from Teesside yesterday.

Winger Andy Halliday, who was a £150,000 arrival from Livingston under former manager Gordon Strachan, has joined League One club Walsall on loan until January in an attempt to kick-start a career that has stalled in recent months.

Halliday has not made a single senior start for Middlesbrough all season, but did score in a development game with Carlisle United on Tuesday afternoon.