TONY PULIS has underlined his determination to make attacking improvements to his squad next month, but the Middlesbrough manager admits he will “need some luck” to push through the deals he is hoping to complete.

Pulis has made no attempt to hide his desire to strengthen his attacking ranks next month, and Boro officials are understood to have held preliminary discussions with a couple of clubs about potential targets.

Steve Gibson has pledged to support Pulis’ attempts to improve his squad, but with January a notoriously difficult month in which to do business, the Boro boss is taking nothing for granted.

Pulis said: “We hope one or two things might drop for us and we can push on. Everyone knows we're looking for a bit more in the forward line, more pace and power.

“We're working behind the scenes to get that sorted but we need to be patient and lucky.

“If you look at team last year and what Adama (Traore) did, the amount of home games where because of his sheer pace and unpredictability he opened doors. We need someone who can do that.

“If you look at the second half at Blackburn and the way the players responded, they worked tremendously hard. In the end we've come off disappointed we've not won and that's testament to the spirit and commitment.

“But it's just one or two things we need at the top end, which is the difference. If you're lacking a bit of certain ingredients you won't score as many as you should be scoring.”

Boro head to QPR tomorrow, with Mo Besic suspended after his dismissal in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers.

Dael Fry and Lewis Wing are also injury doubts for the trip to Loftus Road, having been unable to train fully this week.

Pulis said: “I thought Mo was playing really well until the sending off. He’s got unbelievable quality and he does make us play, but it is what it is and we have to get on with it.

“Wingy has not trained most of this week. He trained for the first time yesterday. With Lewis, it’s his hamstring, which is something he picked up in the second half last week.

“Dael has come back in, but whether we will take a chance on him, I’m not sure. There have been one or two the same, or who have been low with the flu or a bit of a head cold.

“We’ll have a look today. It’s a big shout who will play, especially with the amount of games coming up.”