TONY PULIS will reassess his full-back options and opportunities in the transfer market after Middlesbrough's numbers were reduced by the sale of Fabio da Silva.

The Brazilian has joined Nantes for £2m on a three-year deal and it represents decent business for a player out of contract and set to become a free agent next summer.

But Middlesbrough’s decision to grant Fabio’s request earlier in the year to leave has left Pulis short of recognised full-back cover, which is why he has been considering alternatives.

Those alternatives are not only in the transfer market because he has fielded plenty players in the wider defensive roles already during pre-season.

As well as George Friend and Ryan Shotton - his two preferred full-backs since taking over – Pulis has used Ben Gibson, Dael Fry, Paddy McNair and Marvin Johnson as full-backs at different points of friendlies. McNair started there against Augsburg in Germany.

He could use Saturday’s trip to Accrington and Tuesday’s trip to Rochdale as further opportunities to experiment, while he also knows he has to weigh up who he can target in the transfer market.

He has been heavily linked with Bristol City defender Joe Bryan, but the £10m price-tag for the highly-rated left-back has put many teams off so far. There has also been a £20m asking price placed on Craig Dawson, which has stalled Burnley’s move for the West Brom defender.

Dawson is another centre-back by trade who can operate down a flank and that is something that appeals to Pulis. The Middlesbrough manager will be looking at those who can play down both sides too.

Middlesbrough have plenty of central defensive options. Aden Flint, Daniel Ayala, Ben Gibson and Dael Fry are all fighting for starting spots, while Shotton is equally capable of starting as one of the two.

A lot could change in terms of spending, though, if Middlesbrough decide any bids for Gibson in the final few weeks of the transfer window are worth taking.

The 25-year-old has plenty of Premier League suitors but none have made the sort of move to suggest a deal will be done.

Southampton and Everton are known to be keen if the price is right, while Burnley could yet turn to him if they fail to do a deal for Dawson – although Middlesbrough will be looking for a similar sort of figure just to consider selling.

Fabio, meanwhile, has wished Middlesbrough well following his switch. He had been angling for a move to Brazil with Botafogo earlier in the year but has decided France, where his brother Rafael plays for Lyon, is a suitable option.

“I want to say a big thank you to everyone at Boro - staff, players, most of all the fans,” he said on Twitter. “I tried to do my best every day and give my all, I hope you can return to the Premier League very soon. Thank you, you will always be in my heart. Up the Boro.

“After 11 years in the UK I cannot wait to start this new challenge at Nantes. I feel honoured to join this famous club and I look forward to helping Nantes achieve its goals.”

It has also emerged that Yeovil Town want to take Lewis Wing back on loan following the success he enjoyed there last season.

Wing, 22, was signed from Shildon by Middlesbrough last summer and he impressed for the first team in the EFL Cup and for the Under-23s before heading to Huish Park. He scored a stunning long-range effort in only his second league game against Chesterfield for Yeovil and added the opener in a 3-0 win over Grimsby Town.

Yeovil boss Darren Way was asked if Wing was on his wishlist, and he said: "100 per cent. 110 per cent. I’m hoping Tony (Pulis) can perhaps do me a real big favour.

"All I know is he’s a fantastic player and (if) added to that collection of players out there I have, things are looking good."