ARSENE WENGER has told Aitor Karanka he can have Arsenal’s £16m defender Calum Chambers on loan for the season as Middlesbrough look to boost their defensive options.

Karanka has been keen to strengthen his backline since the breakdown of Nevan Subotic’s move from Borussia Dortmund and everything is in place for Chambers to move to the Riverside Stadium.

Wenger has indicated a willingness to let the 21-year-old go but he is keen to have £35m defender Shkodran Mustafi in place first.

Mustafi’s switch to North London is imminent, though, and Chambers should be a Boro player before the transfer window closes at 11pm tomorrow night.

Wenger wants Chambers to gain more experience as a centre-back, and will provide competition for Daniel Ayala, Ben Gibson and Bernando Espinosa. However, the England Under-21 international will also be an alternative at right-back.

It is shaping up to be quite a busy final few days for Karanka, with uncertainty surrounding the futures of Jordan Rhodes and Albert Adomah.

While the departure of Rhodes – wanted by a string of Championship clubs - will hinge on whether Karanka can bring in a replacement, Adomah’s exit looks more likely.

Aston Villa want the 28-year-old and expect to be in a position to confirm his arrival in the next 24 hours, which could yet lead to Karanka making a move for another winger before the deadline.

Whoever comes in has been told to buy into the fantastic team spirit in the dressing room which still exists amid a wave of new arrivals.

Midfielder Adam Clayton said: “It’s important that we made a lot of our signings at the start of the summer, and we also benefit from having a great core.

“The Spanish-speaking lads who have been here a while, like Dani Ayala and Emilio Nsue, have really helped to integrate the new Spanish lads who have come in.

“They have fitted in straight away, and I think that will stand us in good stead. We’ve been training together for a while – it’s not just been thrown together at the last minute. That’s good, and it’s obviously good management from the manager and good business from the club.”

Boro have started life back in the Premier League impressively, collecting five points from the opening three games.

The latest outing was Sunday’s goalless draw at West Brom where Boro looked solid and created opportunities to win.

Clayton said: “I think we’ve enjoyed good spells in all three games, and acquitted ourselves well in all three games at times. We’ve defended very well at times when we’ve needed to, so it’s a very solid start.

“Not amazing, because obviously you could win every game. But we’ve played three good teams in the Premier League and we’ve not been beaten yet. We’ll take the positives from that and go into the break full of confidence.

“I don’t know what you expect as a player really. It’s probably a little bit quicker and a little bit stronger – everything’s just that extra bit harder. The lads have done really well to settle in, and the new lads who have come in have shown they’re really good players and really good acquisitions for the club. It’s a good start, and a start we can really build on.”

Clayton has paid tribute to midfield sidekick Adam Forshaw for the way he has slotted in following injuries to Marten de Roon and Grant Leadbitter and shown he is capable of performing at the top level.

“You know with the gaffer that if you’re training hard, you’re going to get chances to play,” said Clayton. “Take Adam for example. He might have had to wait, but he’s finally got a chance because of injuries and stuff, and he’s taken his chance well.

“The boys who are not getting a game at the minute know that if they keep going, something will open up. We’re doing quite well in there as a unit. I thought we controlled the game at West Brom for long spells today. I’m really enjoying it at this level, and we’ll keep going.”

Middlesbrough's Under-23s play in the Checkatrade Trophy tonight at Scunthorpe (kick-off 6.45pm).

Aitor Karanka is unlikely to put any of his first team players into action at Glanford Park. Boro were drawn in Group G and will also face Shrewsbury and Cambridge.

It is the first time in the competition - formerly known as the Johnstone's Paints Trophy - will include Category One rated Under-23s teams after a decision to revamp it.