CHRIS Wilder and his staff have been getting their hands dirty getting to know their new club. With just over a month until the January transfer window, he admits that Middlesbrough are well on there way with preparations for a month of incomings and outgoings.

Wilder has already admitted that players will be shown the door next month whilst assessing the squad as a whole, including players that are out on loan. For example, defender Nathan Wood has been recalled from his loan spell at Hibs after just one game for the Scottish Premiership side while Djed Spence reportedly has a release clause in his contract.

Reports this week have suggested that the club may well be willing to let Uche Ikpeazu leave the club after just two goals since signing in the summer.

However, Wilder says it's not the right time to be making those types of calls.

The 54-year-old said: “Far too early. Automatically, you have in your head there’ll be certain people that might not fit into plans but it’s far too early. We’re two games in.

“The big fella has had ten minutes or football so as I’ve said, there’s players that people will have an opinion on that they might suit your style but they might come through and give you something that you’re looking for.

“I don’t want to show my hand as well. I think we’ve shown a little bit in terms of how we play but there’s different ways of playing that I’m interested in as well.

“From a squad size, you’ve got 25, you’ve got your home grown players, you’ve got your Under 23’s so for us to bring in players, automatically you’ve got to look at moving players out. That’s going to be the challenge but one that we’re really enthusiastic about and believe is achievable."

The Boro boss has not written off the season with the club looking to bridge an eight point gap to the play-offs when they come up against Huddersfield Town this afternoon but he admits the transfer window will go a long way to helping them get success this season.

Wilder said: "We have a big January ahead because I want to improve us, I want to improve a lot of aspects.

"The owner wants to improve. I had a conversation with him after the game on Wednesday and he understands the situation I'm in more than anybody. He didn't have to do that but he did in terms of his phonecall, and he's incredibly determined.

"He understands more than anybody. He didn't need to make that call. He understands it's going to be a process.

"It's quite a strange feeling because I really want it to speed up because you get to where you want to be as quickly as possible. I'm excited about it.

"We're well down the line with it (planning for Jan) We understand we have to play smart with financial fair play, but we're well down the road.

"As I've said, it's an attractive club to be part of. We have some exciting targets in mind.

"The grind or challenge now is to get to January and keep picking up points. That builds morale, keeps everybody smiling.

"I have a sense of what's around me and in both home games I had a sense people enjoyed what they've seen. The punters are incredibly important and I got the sense they've enjoyed it, but they didn't enjoy it at 5 o clock or quarter to 10 because we haven't won the games."