MIDDLESBROUGH will make a final push for Hull City defender Harry Maguire within the next 24 hours, but are set to lose both Albert Adomah and Jordan Rhodes before the transfer window closes on Wednesday night.

Boro’s strong start to the Premier League season continued this afternoon as they secured a goalless draw at West Brom to remain in the top eight positions in the table.

Aitor Karanka’s side displayed commendable defensive resolve as they secured their first clean sheet of the season, but the Spaniard remains determined to sign at least one more defender before the transfer window closes.

A deal for Neven Subotic broke down when the Borussia Dortmund centre-half failed a medical at the start of the month, and Maguire has been the Teessiders’ leading target ever since.

However, Hull have turned down two offers, with the second understood to have been worth £7m, and remain extremely reluctant to lose the 23-year-old, such is the threadbare nature of their squad.

Maguire was one of only 13 fit senior players available to Mike Phelan yesterday, and with a change of ownership at the KC Stadium imminent, Hull officials are digging in their heels as they look to hold on to the scant resources they currently possess.

Nevertheless, Boro are ready to make a final attempt to force through a deal, with advisor Peter Kenyon having been present at the Hawthorns this afternoon.

As well as looking to make some late additions to his squad, Karanka is also set to sanction the departure of Adomah and Rhodes, neither of whom was involved in today’s stalemate.

Adomah, who has turned down Boro’s offer of a contract extension on Teesside, was not named in the 18-man squad, and is close to completing a move to Championship side Aston Villa.

The winger was a key part of Boro’s promotion success last season, although his relationship with Karanka became strained when the pair clashed in the dressing room in the wake of a 1-0 home defeat to Bristol City.

Adomah briefly submitted a transfer request, and while he subsequently agreed to remain as part of the squad, he now looks set to depart on a permanent basis.

Rhodes was an unused substitute at the Hawthorns, and a host of Championship clubs continue to be linked with a potential deal in the next 48 hours. Sheffield Wednesday and Norwich City have been the most vigorous pursuers in the last week or so, although Rhodes is understood to be holding out in the hope that a Premier League club will make a last-ditch offer for his services.

“I think, as a manager, you’re always expecting something (in the transfer window), and you’re always ready,” said Karanka. “This season, we’ve changed, and I can’t be calmer because the club has everything under control.

“If something happens, we’re ready, as sometimes bargains appear. We are ready - and sometimes with the squad we have with a lot of good players, maybe other clubs call for our players. We’re ready and for that reason I can be calm.

“I am enjoying this transfer window, but the other years I didn’t as we waited until the last moment to sign players. I want to say thanks to the club, to Victor (Orta), to Gary (Gill) and all the people who are working in the scouting department as the table is a reflection of everybody’s job.”

When asked directly whether he thought Adomah would leave this month, he said: “I don’t know. I preferred before coming here to focus on the game, and now we have two days off. The club is working well, so on Wednesday I will come back and let’s see. It was my decision (to leave him out).”

Today’s draw means Boro remain unbeaten in the league, and while the game at the Hawthorns was hardly one for the purist, it once again highlighted the Teessiders’ defensive organisation and resolve.

Daniel Ayala and Ben Gibson dominated at the heart of the back four, with Adam Clayton and Adam Forshaw proving equally effective in front of them at the base of midfield.

“We knew before the game that it would be a tough game, especially after our defeat on Wednesday (in the EFL Cup),” said Karanka. “It was the third game in a row away, playing against a really strong team, and we knew it would be difficult.

“For sure, our performance wasn’t the best, but I’m pleased at the reaction we had from Wednesday and especially the spirit of the team in the second half.

“I didn’t like the first 20 minutes, the first half we didn’t play well and we didn’t play with the spirit that we have to.

“But in the second half, the reaction was better and I told them at the end of the game that we're in the Premier League, and that's because we've been working for two-and-a-half years with that spirit. Some players have arrived, some players are leaving, but one thing we can't lose is that spirit.”