GARRY MONK is keen to sign a defender and a forward before the transfer window closes in just under a fortnight, and is hoping Ryan Shotton arrives to plug the first of those gaps “sooner rather than later”.

Middlesbrough have made eight senior signings since the end of last season, with Monk spending more than £40m on permanent additions such as Britt Assombalonga, Martin Braithwaite, Jonny Howson and Ashley Fletcher.

However, more than ten first-team players have left in the wake of relegation, and Monk still feels there are gaps in his squad that need filling.

A fourth centre-half is a key priority, but while a deal has been agreed for Shotton, Birmingham City manager Harry Redknapp is refusing to release the 28-year-old until he has secured a defensive replacement of his own.

A versatile forward is also on Monk’s wanted list, and having pulled out of a proposed deal for Liverpool winger Sheyi Ojo, who has subsequently joined Fulham on a season-long loan, Middlesbrough’s recruitment team are pursuing alternative options deemed more desirable by their manager.

“We’ve still got a few positions where we’re looking to strengthen,” said Monk, who will be hoping to guide his side to a third win in a week when they travel to Nottingham Forest tomorrow. “We’ve talked about centre-back a bit, and there’s also an attacking option where we’d like to fill. There’s still something that needs filling in terms of the group and the squad.

“There’s always speculation with players linked and who we’re after, but that’s the same for every club. Of course, we have certain players that we’re looking for and certain positions that we’re looking to fill, and an attacking option as well as a centre-half is one.”

Monk had hoped to have Shotton in place by now, but despite Birmingham having accepted Boro’s offer for the £3m-rated defender, a lack of alternatives has prevented Redknapp from sanctioning his transfer to Teesside.

Shotton was a first-half substitute in Birmingham’s midweek draw with Bolton Wanderers, and while his position is further complicated by the fact that his wife is due to give birth imminently, he could find himself back in the Blues squad for tonight’s televised trip to Burton Albion.

Redknapp has made a number of attempts to sign Bristol City defender Aden Flint, but has so far been unable to prise the defender from Ashton Gate. Until that changes, or he lands an alternative target, Shotton will be remaining at St Andrew’s, a situation that is a source of mounting frustration for Monk.

“The club are dealing with those matters rather than directly myself, but he’s (Shotton) a player we’re interested in,” said the Boro boss. “We’ve made a bid and it’s been accepted.

“We would like that process to happen as soon as possible, but it’s ongoing and I’ll leave it with the clubs. The situation needs to be resolved as soon as possible so we’re clear with where we’re going and we can go from there. We’d like it to happen sooner rather than later.”

Boro return to action at the City Ground tomorrow looking to build on a successful week that has seen them record victories over Sheffield United and Burton.

The wins were the first back-to-back successes since the victories over Bolton and Preston towards the end of the promotion season, and while no one is getting carried away at such an early stage of the campaign, it was nevertheless important for Boro to rediscover the winning habit as quickly as possible.

Monk readily admits he inherited a squad that was down in the dumps, but it has not taken long for the mood to change.

“I’ve been very pleased with the improvements we’ve made, defensively and offensively as a team,” he said. “There’s a long way to go, and there are a lot of things I’ve seen that aren’t so good, that need improving.

“That’s what we’re working on, but it’s important to pick up good results while you’re going through that process and we’ve had back-to-back wins which is always good for confidence.

“Coming off the back of a really disappointing season, confidence has been low coming into the club. Wins like we’ve had this week will build that confidence and build the stature of the players. Hopefully, we’ll see the improvement in the coming games.

“We hadn’t won (many) games in the calendar year, and that’s a big thing. I said in pre-season that confidence needed picking up, and positive results can only help with that. We’re trying to get some good performances within it, and that breeds confidence too. I’m sure the players will have gained confidence from the last two games, but there’s a lot of improvement that is still needed.”

Daniel Ayala is back in contention for a place in the squad for tomorrow’s game, but Martin Braithwaite will not be involved at the City Ground as he is currently only running rather than taking part in full training.

“Dani is back in training, and Martin is back on the grass but not in training,” said Monk. “It’ll probably be a bit too soon for Martin, but we’ll see how he progresses into the start of next week.”