NEIL WARNOCK admits Middlesbrough have had a “devastating week” on the transfer front – with deals for two attacking targets having collapsed.

Warnock had lined up loan moves for a striker and a winger, both of whom were set to move from Premier League clubs ahead of next Monday’s transfer deadline.

However, the situation has changed at both of the top-flight clubs in question, and the players’ respective managers are no longer willing to allow them to leave for the second half of the season.

As a result, Warnock finds himself back to square one as he looks to strengthen his squad before the transfer window closes in six days’ time.

The Boro boss said: “I’m not close at all (to completing a transfer deal), really.

“The two lads that I thought we’d got a great chance with last week, in the last 24 hours I’ve been told by both Premier League managers that they’re not letting them out.

"In one particular case, I was told two days ago it was 100 per cent happening.

"To find out things have changed is disappointing to say the least.

"They said certain players they were expecting to be fit haven't got fit in time so they can't risk fringe players going out.

"It’s been a devastating week for us really, on top of everything else. It can’t get much worse."