MIDDLESBROUGH’S young guns have been told they are unlikely to be thrust into Tony Pulis’ starting line-up in the Championship promotion race unless they have proven themselves on a lengthy loan deal.

The Boro boss will ring the changes again when he takes his team to Hull City this afternoon, having made 11 of those for the midweek victory at Preston in the Carabao Cup.

That night saw the Dael Fry, Lewis Wing Nathan Wood, Marcus Tavernier and Harry Chapman all feature, and only the first two of those have had significant roles to play this season.

The arrivals of more midfielders before the transfer window closed led to Wing losing his spot in the league team, while Fry is effectively playing second fiddle to Aden Flint and Daniel Ayala and Danny Batth has also arrived to compete.

That shows how hard it will be for the likes of Tavernier and Chapman to force their way into the reckoning, even though Pulis does not have too many options for the wings.

And Pulis explained: “I think Tav on Tuesday was fantastic, I really do. Wingy worked his socks off, he's got different attributes.

“Dael, Woody … there's a group here who need to get 30/40 games behind them. Players are not made the way they were 20/30 years ago. They need that toughness.

“The only way they'll get it is going out on loan. Wingy has come back stronger mentally and physically after a year at Yeovil playing week in, week out. Tuesday, Saturday. He's got used to the rigours.

“The lads have got to do that, they've got to. We've got a list of players out already. It's an academy that has got good teachers in it. Ex-pros who are good teachers, very good on discipline and what's needed. Talking it and doing it are two different things.”

Pulis clearly rates the talent that is coming through at Middlesbrough, but is clearly wary of throwing them in to the first team in important league games as he looks to deliver promotion to the Premier League.

He said: “They're with us so they work hard with us, and together with us. They have good pros here, Stewart Downings and people like that, so they can learn a lot from them.”

What Pulis, speaking ahead of today’s trip to the KC Stadium, does not want is for the fringe players to disrupt the strong togetherness that exists within the group he has under him.

But he will still be looking to strengthen his ranks in the January transfer window, which would put pave the way for the likes of Tavernier, Chapman and Wing to move out on loan.

He said: “I am delighted where we are and long may it continue, given the chance at Christmas time we have to improve on one or two areas where we didn’t in the summer, but they have done fantastic.

“There is a good spirit, we will make changes during this three-game period. One or two have to come in and give it their best and hopefully we will get it right over these games.

“We need to make sure we turn up. No game in this league is an easy game. If you’re looking at Hull’s games they have been close a lot of times. They have very good players in their group and ones who can hurt you.

“We have to keep believing in what we are doing. Fingers crossed we will get the run of the ball and we have to make sure we keep going. We can’t take things lightly.”