AFTER pulling off the loan signature of Adam Hammill yesterday, Middlesbrough manager Tony Mowbray has confirmed he is still in the market for a further addition to boost the club's promotion push.

But Mowbray, who still has an interest in Liverpool's Jonjo Shelvey and Nottingham Forest's Ishmael Miller, insists he will not rush in to any deal for the sake of it.

The Boro boss has been actively working on a number of leads since the transfer window closed at the end of January and he followed up the permanent acquisition of Lukas Jutkiewicz with yesterday's signing.

Hammill, capped once at Under-21 level for England, has arrived until the end of the season from Wolverhampton Wanderers and strengthens Mowbray's options across the midfield and going forward.

The 24-year-old has struggled to make an impact in the Premier League since moving to Molineux last sunmmer when his contract at Barnsley expired.

But Mowbray is well aware of Hammill's ability after monitoring his progress through Liverpool's academy system and then on to Oakwell, where he was a shining light during a two-year spell before leaving.

"He just wants to get his boots out and play again," said Mowbray, who met up with the player for the first time on Wednesday night after watching England Under-21s' 4-0 win over Belgium at the Riverside Stadium.

"He wants to play and as soon as we had agreed something with Wolves he got straight in his car and headed up here. He was as keen as mustard, we told him what to expect - and I won't be trying to change him. I just want him to bring what he does to any team."

Hammill has made a name for himself as a tricky winger, particularly at Barnsley where he scored 13 goals in 78 league games for the Tykes.

But Mowbray, who could throw him straight in to action at Portsmouth tomorrow, does not want to pigeon hole him in a specific role.

"I'm not sure he's an out and out winger in my mind," said the Middlesbrough manager. "He has the ability to go past people, dribble past people. I've seen him do things a bit like Marvin Emnes has the ability to do.

"The team needs someone who can draw the defender out and he can do that. He will be a positive for us, I'm sure. It will not be a problem for him to slip in on loan and his talent is obviously there.

"He was Barnsley's talisman. He scored unbelievable goals. He has ability to step inside, go outside, score free-kicks, score from long range. He can jink through gaps and has scored some wonderful goals.

"But I will not burden him by saying we expect him to score wonderful goals every game. I just want him to enjoy it here, relax and get on the ball."

With Nicky Bailey available again after ankle ligament damage and Kevin Thomson back from suspension, Middlesbrough's options have increased ahead of the trip to Fratton Park.

But Mowbray is continuing to monitor the loan market, with the likes of Shelvey known to be in his sights even though there is significant interest from other clubs, including Blackpool.

He said: "We have some inquiries in at clubs and we will see what happens. Whether something comes to fruition we will take a view on them. There is scope for us for another loan, but only the right one.

"I have always said I will only add a new player if he improves the team. I don't feel like I need to gamble to try to achieve something that may never happen (promotion)."

Despite boosting their attacking ranks with the Jutkiewicz and Hammill in the last six weeks, Mowbray is just as excited about the prospect of having Bailey available again.

The former Charlton midfielder has been missing since the draw with Peterborough United on New Year's Eve, but he is in contention to face Portsmouth after coming through training unscathed in the last fortnight.

And Mowbray is feeling confident of a return to form following last weekend's defeat to Reading, identifying a number of other individuals as reasons why Middlesbrough are due a better run of results.

"Nicky coming back is a huge plus for us and if we can keep Thomson on the pitch that would be a huge plus for us too," said Mowbray.

"Seb Hines' ability to play alongside Matthew Bates at the back is another huge plus for us, his performances have meant I can utilise Rhys Williams' talent in other areas. We are as strong in the midfield area as we have been all season.

"Marvin has been on a scoring streak, Jutkiewicz has played every game since he came. It's all positive.

"And then there's Curtis Main ... who knows what we have got with him. Only time on the pitch will show that. I think we are OK.

"I could go out and bring in a big name centre-foroward, but would they be better than Curtis or Bart Ogbeche? We just don't know."