FORWARD-THINKING Tony Mowbray has reassured Middlesbrough supporters that work has already started on revamping his squad in a bid to avoid a repeat of this season's collapse in the Championship.

Boro - who learned yesterday defender Seb Hines could miss the start of next season through injury - head in to the final home game of the campaign against Charlton tomorrow knowing they will be playing in the same division again come August after failing to build on an excellent end to 2012.

The situation is clearly not what was hoped for in the corridors of power at the Riverside Stadium, although Mowbray is determined to retain a huge degree of optimism ahead of another summer of financial realignment.

After the action has come to an end at the Riverside tomorrow evening, the Middlesbrough manager is ready to hit mainland Europe to run the rule over targets he has in mind for the summer.

Mowbray will also have assistant Mark Venus, first team coach Mark Proctor and chief scout Gary Gill monitoring other potential signings as he looks to get a head start on the transfer front.

"We are working hard to cover games abroad," said Mowbray. "The out of contract market is something we need to exploit. It doesn't mean you are getting cheap and out of contract players - look at Robert Lewandowski, he is out of contract next year!

"There are obviously players lots of people want. We have to try to entice the ones that we can compete for. Grant Leadbitter was out of contract and he had lots of options and we got him. There are a lot of players out of contract that we are aware of. Are we going to bring them over to talk about the ambition of our club? Can we entice them? Afford their salaries? There's lots of different scenarios. The scouts are working hard at that and we have names to look at.

"I am flying out on Saturday night, abroad, after the game. The following Monday I am at a game. It's not just me, Proc and Veno are going to games too. We have reports for senior management to watch these players. If you get a chance to rubber-stamp a player you do it. It still doesn't mean you have a deal because it comes down to finance. All of those scenarios."

Middlesbrough have already created links with the Croatian Football Association through Alen Boksic and are keen to improve ties with different areas on the continent as they look to find a bargain or two.

But Mowbray, aware season ticket sales have been encouraging following last weekend's deadline for renewals, has also revealed he will once again look to exploit the Premier League loan market.

"There is also the British market as well, we have to look for the best players we can get," he said. "Premier League clubs are stock-piling players, so we have to try to get the best because they are only allowed 24-man squads for next season.

"Bolton had success with Jay Spearing and Craig Dawson from West Brom has been a success for them too. (Nathaniel) Chalobah at Watford has been brilliant from Chelsea. The market is there. We are talking to people, we will wait and see.

"We will try to get deals done quickly. I hope so. The problem with loans is that when you speak to big managers at big clubs, they want to take their young players to pre-season with them - and we will have already had two games."

After next weekend's final game at Sheffield Wednesday, the under-contract members of the Middlesbrough squad will be expected back for pre-season training on June 24.

Mowbray is understood to have already told defender Stephen McManus that his contract will not be renewed and Julio Arca has had his contract terminated. No decision has been made on Nicky Bailey, although he is another likely to depart.

Discussions are ongoing with defender Andre Bikey. Middlesbrough have a one-year option on his contract but Mowbray will not take it up if there is a suggestion the player wants to go.

"If the players come and knock on my door they will get an honest answer," said Mowbray. "Up until last weekend there was no need to speak with people regarding their futures because we didn't know what league we would be in. Generally I do all my one-on-ones with footballers on the Monday after the last game - unless they want to know.

"I have talked to Bikey and his agent. Players with year's options, whilst it is in our favour, I don't want to keep a player who doesn't want to stay. With Andre those conversations have been around 'what are you thinking?' If they don't want to stay, I am not interested in keeping them if they are discontented, they would be here almost under duress. It's not cut and dried."

If Bikey leaves then Middlesbrough would need a new centre-back, particularly given the news that Hines is set for an extended spell on the sidelines.

The 25-year-old, whose career has been hit by a series of injury problems, needs surgery on a knee problem sustained in training.

Mowbray said: "He's having an operation and it is touch and go if he makes the start of the season. Potentially he will be out for months, it's s shame he is a warrior for us. It felt uncomfortable for him and he went for a scan. He needs an operation."