BURNLEY are ready to make a fresh attempt to land Middlesbrough defender Dael Fry within the final ten days of this month’s transfer window.

The Clarets’ interest in the England Under-21 international has raised the possibility of former Boro centre-back Ben Gibson being used as a makeweight in such a deal.

Middlesbrough are not looking to offload more players this month because head coach Jonathan Woodgate has already sanctioned the sale of goalkeeper Darren Randolph to West Ham.

It would have to be a sizeable offer for Middlesbrough to consider selling anyone else who is perceived to be a crucial part of Woodgate’s plans.

Striker Britt Assombalonga is known to have attracted interest from Aston Villa so far, but Burnley’s long-standing interest in Fry looks set to lead to a fresh offer of around £10m from Turf Moor.

Burnley are believed to have offered less than that to Middlesbrough in the summer for the 22-year-old and now they are preparing to increase their bid to try to tempt the Teessiders into a sale.

Middlesbrough, who have been cutting costs and have had to change the way they operate in recent years after falling out of the Premier League at the first attempt, are not in a position to lose Fry on the cheap.

He is currently the only recognised first team centre-back who is fit, with Daniel Ayala and Ryan Shotton both sidelined. Fry has been lining up with midfielders Jonny Howson and Paddy McNair at the back.

Burnley manager Sean Dyche is a big admirer of the youngster and has identified him as someone he would like to develop further.

And he could even use Gibson as bait, given the 27-year-old has not started a single game for Burnley in the Premier League this season. In fact, he has had a troubled time since moving to Lancashire for £15m in August 2018, starting just once in the league.

Gibson could be on the move regardless, and has been linked already with a return to Middlesbrough where he clearly has strong links to his uncle Steve, the club’s chairman, and has a good relationship with Woodgate.

Fry is not thinking about anything other than helping Middlesbrough continue their recent revival.

Friday’s defeat at Fulham brought an end to a five-match unbeaten run, including four wins, that has lifted Middlesbrough up the table and clear of relegation trouble. Now the challenge is to start a new run against Birmingham at the Riverside on Tuesday night.

“The lads are still confident,” said Fry. “We’ve come here to Fulham and tried to get a result and obviously it hasn’t happened but the way we finished the game, the way we tried to get into it, we can take that into the Birmingham game.

Fry added: “That first 25 minutes at Fulham killed us. It was a bit like at Tottenham where we started slowly and made a couple of mistakes and they punished us. From there it is an uphill battle.”

That defeat at Fulham was the third outing for Middlesbrough inside seven days, following on from the defeat at Tottenham in the FA Cup and the draw with Derby County at the Riverside.

“It was tough,” said Fry. “But if someone is tired we have got enough options on the bench, we have a good academy and there are people who can slot in.  The ones who have come in have done really well.”

Fry has felt the extra responsibility of late given the absence of Shotton and Ayala from the squad. Skipper George Friend has also not figured for months, although he is nearing a return to action within the next few weeks.

“Take those three out of any Championship team, with that experience, it is a big loss,” said Fry, who has played 25 times this season.  “We have missed them but while they have been out of the team we’ve had four wins. It shows that if someone does drop out of the team there is someone to step in.  “Paddy and Jonny have to drop in at the back and I know it is not their usual position but they have put some good performances in and we’ve managed to go on a bit of a winning streak. Obvious when those three are back it will be another positive for us.”

Fry found it hard at the start of the season when Middlesbrough were struggling but everyone at the club still appreciates his talent. Woodgate has remained faithful to him and the young Teessider is thankful for that.

He said: “It wasn’t easy, we were in transition. With the previous manager we defended quite a lot whereas with this manager we try to get at teams and press teams and in recent games I think that has shown.  Everyone is getting the balance right and learning when to press, when not to too.  “It’s not easy sometimes to adapt.  My own performances before Christmas weren’t great, I was going home after games and beating myself up and thinking I can’t wait for the next one to put it right."