ADAM CLAYTON thinks Aitor Karanka already has the players capable of firing Middlesbrough to promotion, but admits another front man would give the squad a welcome boost after an unspectacular start to the new campaign.

Karanka hopes to hear some positive news from the boardroom this week on the search for a striker, with Leicester City's David Nugent emerging as the latest transfer target over the weekend.

The Foxes have reportedly accepted a £4m bid for the one-time England striker after falling down the pecking order at the King Power Stadium following the arrival of Shinji Okazaki.

Jordan Rhodes remains a target, but Blackburn Rovers’ reluctance to do business for the price being offered has ensured Middlesbrough have had to begin the new campaign with the players already at Karanka’s disposal.

While that does not concern Clayton too much despite the goalless draw with Preston on Sunday, the midfielder accepts the extra competition could be just what is required to get the best out of the forwards already at the Riverside.

“It was an away game against a Preston team who were promoted, so they were on a high and have good players and can defend very well in their own box. It is not a bad point to get on the first day,” said Clayton.

“It would be harsh to say we have scoring problems because of that. Kike will score when he gets chances in the box. (Cristhian) Stuani has shown he is a very good player to us in training.

“I have no doubt they will score goals for us. But if the gaffer is to sign another striker to go with those then we will be happy because we know we already have good players to pose a threat and to score goals.

“We have creative players like Stewart Downing, Diego Fabbrini, Grant Leadbitter and Albert Adomah. If we had scored late on at Preston, when we had the chances, then it would have been about how we had dug in and got a result.

“If everyone can contribute with the goals then even better for the whole squad and the team, it can’t be just about the strikers or the forwards. I want a couple more this year to take the pressure off the forwards.”

Stuani only received clearance to play last Thursday so when he was introduced as a second half substitute at Deepdale that was his first piece of action in a Middlesbrough shirt. He is likely to start at Oldham in the Capital One Cup tomorrow night.

The South American played in the Copa America for his country during the summer and has scored goals for fun in Spain during spells with Albacete, Levante, Racing Santander and, most recently, Espanyol.

Middlesbrough are convinced they have a player capable of lighting up the Championship and he is capable of playing in any of the forward roles.

Clayton said: “He is a very good player, he knows the game, he has guile and he is clever. He will run through anyone. You don’t play for Uruguay without being a good player.

“He gets across defenders and he will be a very good addition. He likes to graft and get his head in where it hurts. He likes to hold it up too. We just need to get him up and running.”

Middlesbrough were fancied by the bookmakers who had labelled them promotion favourites ahead of the start of the campaign and Karanka has been confident his players can deal with that tag.

But they did not hit top gear at Preston, where they could easily have lost as well as won with chances at both ends. Clayton is not willing to accept the arrival of Downing, Fabbrini and Stuani means they all need time to gel again.

“Not really,” he said. “The players the manager has brought in are all similar players, they all have a work ethic and we want to hit the ground running. But it is a point on the board and a clean sheet. If we can get the momentum going then we will be alright. It’s not a bad start.

“We have a game on Wednesday. Regardless of what the competition is we want to win. Last year we went to Arsenal at a crucial stage of the season. There was no issue with going and playing a weakened team. We want to win. If you win and keep getting the 'W' on the board then it breeds more wins.”

Middlesbrough, who face Bolton at the Riverside in the league, after likely to rest Adomah at Oldham tomorrow after he suffered a late knock at Preston. He is being assessed.