Middlesbrough

Image source, Rex Features

Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick said there is "always a plan" amid rumours of a departure for striker Emmanuel Latte Lath.

The Ivory Coast international is an injury doubt for Monday's blockbuster match against Sunderland (20:00 GMT) after needing to be withdrawn in their loss to Preston North End on Saturday.

It may be that the striker is no longer even part of the Boro line-up come the game against the Black Cats, having been linked with a move away from the club in the January transfer window, but the 26-year-old remains in Carrick's plans.

"Emmanuel Latte Lath came off injured last week, we're seeing how quickly he's going to be fit. Until there's anything to report, we work with the players and prepare for the next game," he told BBC Radio Tees.

"There's always a plan surrounding the balance of the squad. A lot of work goes on behind the scenes to come out of the transfer window in a good place."

Meanwhile, forward Tommy Conway has returned to training but fans will have to "wait and see" if he'll be ready for Monday night.

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Middlesbrough have brought in teenager Josh Dede from Celtic on a permanent deal.

The 19-year-old, who can play right-back or right winger, will initially join up with Boro's under-21 squad.

He did not play for Celtic's first-team, but featured in their age-group sides as well as playing for Scotland Under-19s.

Dede is the fifth arrival on Teesside this month following Ryan Giles, George Edmundson, Morgan Whittaker and Mark Travers.

Tottenham will allow 19-year-old forward Will Lankshear to leave on loan before Monday's transfer deadline, with Burnley, Middlesbrough, West Brom, Cardiff and Luton keen on the England Under-20 international. (Football.London), external

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All eyes will be on the Riverside on Monday night as Middlesbrough and Sunderland face-off in a Tees-Wear derby (20:00 GMT) which will be screened on free-to-air TV.

The Black Cats sit fourth and will be hoping to keep up the pace in the race for automatic promotion while two places but 11 points behind them, Boro will be seeking to solidify their spot in the play-offs.

• Middlesbrough have lost just two of their past 27 home league games against Sunderland (W16 D9), remaining unbeaten across their last six home outings against the Black Cats.

• After winning the reverse fixture 1-0 in September, Sunderland are looking to record a first league double over Middlesbrough since the 1961-62 season.

• Middlesbrough have lost two of their past three league games (W1), as many as in their prior 13 league outings combined (W6 D5).

• Sunderland have lost just two of their past 11 away league games (W4 D5), keeping a clean sheet in five of those matches. They will be looking to win consecutive away matches in the Championship for the first time since October, however.

• Heading into this weekend, Finn Azaz has created more chances than any other player in the Championship this season (62). Indeed, only Borja Sainz (18) has been directly involved in more goals than the Boro man in the same time (17 – eight goals, nine assists)

Middlesbrough's move for former Leeds midfielder Glen Kamara could be off, with the Finland international, who has also been linked with Sunderland and Burnley, now reportedly ready to move to Saudi side Al Shabab. (Northern Echo, external)

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Middlesbrough have agreed a deal with Bournemouth to bring in goalkeeper Mark Travers on loan and he is due to have a medical on Wednesday morning. (Sky Sports), external

Boro are also set to sign Celtic youngster Josh Dede and the 19-year-old right-back will complete his medical before the end of the transfer window. (Football Insider), external

Middlesbrough are also keen to bring in ex-Leeds midfielder Glen Kamara, 29, on loan from French Ligue 1 club Rennes. (The Yorkshire Post), external

Want more transfer news and rumours from the EFL? Read Wednesday's gossip column here.

Ben Doak is set to remain on loan at Middlesbrough after his parent club Liverpool rejected transfer bids from Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town. (The Athletic - subscription required), external

Want more transfer news and rumours from the EFL? Read Tuesday's gossip column here.

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On-loan Middlesbrough defender Ryan Giles says he would consider making the move permanent.

The 25-year-old re-joined Boro for the rest of the season from Hull City last week, having spent the 2022-23 campaign at the Riverside on loan from Wolves.

"Of course I would," Giles told BBC Radio Tees on being asked whether he would like to sign permanently.

"Sometimes things like that are out of my control a bit, I've got to focus on the here and now, there are 17 games to go and just look to give my all in those and what will be will be."

After returning to Wolves in 2023, Giles signed for Luton before moving to Hull for £5m in August 2024.

"The last few years have been a learning curve for me but I've always felt that love here and it's never gone away, and this opportunity to come back was a no-brainer for me," Giles said.

"The move happened for me to go to Luton which was an opportunity to play in the Premier League - something I've always wanted to do since I was a little boy.

"Obviously there are also clubs negotiating things, so it isn't me just saying I want to leave, I want to go to Luton, it wasn't that at all."

The wing-back made his second Boro debut as a second half substitute in Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Preston in the Championship.

"The reception I got from the fans, I can't ask for any more than that.

"We're in a brilliant position, there's a really good squad here and the foundations and fundamentals are there for us to really kick on," he added.

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Middlesbrough manager Michael Carrick says his side "shot themselves in the foot" during their 2-1 defeat to Preston at Deepdale.

Goals from Stefan Stefan Thordarson and Emil Riis secured the victory after Delano Burgzorg levelled for the visitors.

The result leaves Boro in sixth, and although Carrick says they are still very much in the promotion picture, errors cost them.

"Today I thought it was there for us," he told BBC Radio Tees.

"We started well, defended well and took control for large parts.

"There were a couple of moments where we shot ourselves in the foot. The boys are devastated, I'm disappointed. It is a horrible day to be sitting here with nothing.

"We were really good for a lot of the game; when Delano scored, the emotion was great to be part of. We thought it was coming again and it went to other way.

"There is a hell of an opportunity in front of us, an awful lot to play for and big games coming up. We've got to learn.

Boro's top scorer Emmanuel Latte Lath was forced off injured early on in the game, and they face a wait to understand the severity of the issue,

"He felt his groin, how badly and to what extent I don't know as yet, we'll have to wait and see," Carrick added. It was a blow but I felt we dealt with it well and should have won the game."

Ipswich defender George Edmundson will undergo a medical at Middlesbrough ahead of a £2.5m move today. (Talksport, external)

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