MIDDLESBROUGH will attempt to push through deals for George Saville and Jason Puncheon ahead of this afternoon’s Football League loan deadline, but are expected to sanction Martin Braithwaite’s departure to Spanish side Leganes.

In what is set to be a hectic few hours ahead of this evening’s top-of-the-table clash at Leeds United, Julien de Sart is also expected to return to his native Belgium as Tony Pulis looks to tinker with his squad.

Boro made their sixth signing of the summer yesterday, with versatile defender Sam McQueen joining on a season-long loan from Southampton, but Pulis is determined to complete more business ahead of today’s 5pm deadline.

Saville is set to travel to Boro’s Rockliffe Park training ground this morning to undergo a medical and finalise the personal terms of a move from Millwall. The 25-year-old will initially sign on loan, but Boro have agreed the terms of a clause that will enable them to complete a permanent transfer for around £7m next summer.

Pulis tried to sign Saville on a permanent basis at the start of the month, but while Millwall officials dug their heels in at that stage, they have subsequently relented and allowed the midfielder to leave.

Negotiations with Crystal Palace over Puncheon continue, with Boro officials hoping to sign off a season-long deal for the 32-year-old.

Pulis has been desperate to sign a winger to replace Adama Traore, and while he would have preferred a player with more natural pace, he has first-hand knowledge of Puncheon’s talents and is confident the Londoner will be a valuable addition to the squad.

The pair worked together during Pulis’ time in charge at Selhurst Park, and while Puncheon played in Palace’s Carabao Cup win over Swansea City this week, Roy Hodgson has told him he does not figure in his first-team plans for the remainder of the campaign.

McQueen, a versatile left-footer who can play at full-back or in midfield, signed for the rest of the season yesterday morning, effectively replacing Fabio da Silva, who left at the start of the month.

“I’ve had friends who have played at this club,” said McQueen, who could feature in the squad that travels to Leeds. “I’ve spoken to the likes of Calum Chambers, who said really great things about it, so it’s a big opportunity for someone like me to come and prove myself. It’s one of those where I was eager to come and show what I can do.”

Ideally, Pulis would also like to have Braithwaite at his disposal for the rest of the season, but having been linked with a move away from the Riverside for the majority of the summer, the Denmark international told Boro officials on Wednesday that he wanted to join Leganes.

Both Leganes and Girona have made formal inquiries this week, and despite scoring three goals in Boro’s opening four league matches, Braithwaite does not want to remain on Teesside.

A deal is still to be finalised, and having paid around £10m to sign Braithwaite from Toulouse a little over a year ago, the Boro hierarchy are adamant they want to recoup the majority of that sum. However, with Pulis adamant he will not be keeping anyone against their will, an agreement looks all-but-inevitable.

“Martin came to see me yesterday,” said the Boro boss, who has no interest in Liverpool youngster Sheyi Ojo despite speculation linking him with the winger. “There's a club in Spain that want him, he'd like to leave, which is disappointing but that's the way football is, that's the way life is.

“We'll see what happens. The deal has to be right for the football club. If it's not right for the club, he'll have to get his head down and work hard for us.

“As I’ve said before, I get very disappointed that people come here, spend a short time, then are looking to get off again. That’s what really disappoints me when they’ve signed long-term contracts.

“But life is life. Martin is not a bad lad. He’s been very good around the place, he works hard, he’s diligent enough. But I want players who want to play for the club. I hope he doesn’t go, I hope he stays with us, but if he goes, he goes.”

There was one confirmed departure from the Riverside yesterday, with Enes Mahmutovic joining League Two side Yeovil Town on loan, having featured in the Carabao Cup wins over Notts County and Rochdale.

Boro return to league action this evening as they take on the Championship leaders, Leeds, at what is sure to be a raucous Elland Road.

Like Boro, Leeds are unbeaten in the league this season, and Marcelo Bielsa’s side have earned a series of plaudits for the quality of their attacking football.

Pep Guardiola cites Bielsa as one of his biggest managerial influences, and the 63-year-old Argentinian has been praised for encouraging his Leeds side to adopt a slick, high-pressing approach.

Pulis, on the other hand, is branded as a long-ball merchant, but while he has the utmost respect for Bielsa’s achievements, he does not see too many differences in their tactical approach.

“They talk about all the football with Bielsa, but they play football quickly through the pitch,” said the Boro boss. “They haven't scored as many goals as they have by playing backwards, square and sideways in their own half. They play through the pitch quickly, get bodies up quickly, then move the ball there quickly too.

“But we’ve done well in respect of creating opportunities ourselves, and we’ll go there and do exactly the same. We understand we’ll be the underdogs, so the pressure will be more on Leeds.

“We're playing against a great football club with fantastic tradition. They've got everything going for themselves, they've got a top manager in and had a great start. It'll be rocking and as a manager, player or supporter, you want to experience these occasions. We’ve just got to make sure we turn up.”

Middlesbrough (probable, 5-3-2): Randolph; Shotton, Ayala, Flint, Fry, Friend; Howson, Clayton, Downing; Hugill, Assombalonga.