NEIL WARNOCK has reopened the possibility of signing a new striker before the transfer window closes a week on Monday.

The Middlesbrough manager had been keen to recruit a new forward this month, but had accepted he would have to go with what he has when a loan move for a Premier League player collapsed just over a week ago.

However, he has had discussions about a different target in the last couple of days, and now feels there is a chance a loan deal could go through on deadline day.

“We’ve got one option left as a striker, which would be a possibility,” said Warnock. “That would be a loan at the last minute. If it doesn’t happen, we’ll stick with what we’ve got.

“We’ve got three good strikers when they play, so you can’t really have a go. But the other night when you looked at the forward line Forest finished up – (Lyle) Taylor, (Lewis) Grabban, (Anthony) Knockaert, (Sammy) Ameobi – it’s some forward line that. But you’ve just got to get on with it and do the best with what you have.”

As well as the proposed deal for a striker, Warnock also remains in discussions over a couple of possible additions in the wide-attacking positions. He has agreed a deal with a Premier League club for a wide forward, but while he would like to have the player in question in place for next Wednesday’s home game with Rotherham United, he accepts he might well have to wait until next weekend at the earliest.

“I would expect it’ll go to the wire,” he said. “We are hoping it happens before then because we’d like to have him involved against Rotherham. You saw the other night on the bench, there wasn’t a lot there. We could do with a couple more attacking options, so I’d like to get something done before Wednesday.

“We’re constantly talking to the club and the player. And the same is true of the striker, but the striker will be at the last minute I’d think. Then, it’s down to the player if he chooses us - I think there will be three or four clubs in for him.”

Two players left yesterday, with Tomas Mejias’ contract being cancelled by mutual consent, enabling the goalkeeper to join Turkish side Ankaraspor following the end of his loan spell at Dinamo Bucharest, and Stephen Walker joining League One side Crewe Alexandra on a season-long loan.

“I think Stephen has to play games,” said Warnock. “He wasn’t going to be involved in our first-team, so it is better for him to get some games.”

Boro return to action when they host Tony Mowbray’s Blackburn Rovers at the Riverside tomorrow, with Warnock wary of the threat posed by the Championship’s joint-leading goalscorer, Adam Armstrong. “It’s no wonder there’s big Premier League clubs looking at Adam,” he said.

Middlesbrough (probable, 4-3-3): Bettinelli; Dijksteel, Fry, McNair, Bola; Morsy, Howson, Saville; Watmore, Assombalonga, Tavernier.