MIDDLESBROUGH manager Aitor Karanka will not be making any last-minute dips in to the loan market when the window for emergency short term deals closes at 5pm today.

Boro head in to this Saturday’s home game with Blackburn knowing that a victory will keep them firmly in the mix for a top two spot with Christmas approaching.

But Karanka, who has granted young forward Luke Williams permission to stay with Scunthorpe until January, is satisfied that he does not need to add another player to his squad before the transfer window opens in the new year.

The Spanish coach already has Jamal Blackman, Ryan Fredericks, Kenneth Omeruo, Milos Veljkovic Jelle Vossen and Patrick Bamford on loan. Blackman and Veljkovic have struggled to work their way in to the Boro first team.

Karanka thinks he has the options available to ensure Middlesbrough can deal with injuries and suspensions through the hectic December schedule.

He will be forced in to at least one change to his midfield against Blackburn, with Adam Clayton faced with a one-match suspension after collecting his fifth yellow card against Wigan last weekend.

Clayton, a £1.5m buy from Huddersfield, has impressed since making the switch from South Yorkshire and has struck up a good understanding with in-form Grant Leadbitter at the heart of the Boro team.

The experienced Dean Whitehead is hoping to be given the opportunity to slot in against Blackburn, given how Veljkovic was not even among the substitutes at the DW Stadium.

Veljkovic, on loan from Tottenham, is yet to make even appearance from the bench in a Middlesbrough shirt and with Omeruo expected to return to the manager’s thinking this weekend the Spurs man could find himself left out once more.

Omeruo has not started a Middlesbrough game since the defeat to Wolves on October 21. Karanka has preferred to partner the impressive Ben Gibson alongside regular Daniel Ayala ever since. That is likely to remain the case when Rovers travel to the Riverside Stadium.

Williams, meanwhile, has been granted permission to extend his stay at Glanford Park. The skilful 21-year-old has struggled to break in to the Middlesbrough first team picture and has impressed during his three appearances for the Iron since moving there at the beginning of the month.

Scunthorpe’s assistant manager Ned Kelly said: “Luke has trained with the group for the last couple of days and he’s looking forward to the weekend. We’ve now got him until January and we’ll look at that position again at that time and speak to the player and the club.”