NEIL WARNOCK admits he is still waiting to see if he gets the green light to bring in a free agent to strengthen Middlesbrough’s attack.

Warnock had hoped to recruit a new forward ahead of last week’s domestic transfer deadline, but moves for a number of targets failed to come to fruition, with a proposed season-long loan deal for Yannick Bolasie collapsing just before the window closed.

The Boro boss had previously hinted he would look to exploit the free-agent market if he was unable to sign a contracted player, but now concedes he is still waiting to discover exactly what will be possible given the inevitable financial pressures created by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Warnock’s existing attacking resources are currently at full stretch, with Ashley Fletcher set to miss up for four months with a hamstring injury and Britt Assombalonga also having been forced to sit out Tuesday’s 1-0 win at Bristol City.

“Ashley Fletcher is out for a few months, and then this week, Britt Assombalonga got an injury, so we’re down to the bare bones really,” said the Boro boss.

“Hopefully, I might be able to bring in a free transfer in the next few weeks – I’m not sure of that at the moment, but we’ll have to see.”

Warnock remains disappointed at the way in which Bolasie’s proposed move from Everton fell through last Friday, admitting there was fault on all sides.

“We nearly got Bolasie in on deadline day, but one thing then another went on during the day,” said the Boro boss, in an interview with talkSPORT.

"I think there were mistakes all round really, and we just couldn’t get it over the line at five o’clock.”