CHRIS WILDER has challenged Middlesbrough’s three senior goalkeepers to convince him he does not need to strengthen the position during next month’s transfer window.

Wilder is set to make a number of changes when the window reopens at the turn of the year, with goalkeeper one of the positions expected to be a key focus.

Luke Daniels has been between the sticks for Boro’s last five matches, having replaced previous number one Joe Lumley in the latter stages of Neil Warnock’s reign. Dejan Stojanovic is also back in Boro’s first-team squad, having returned from a loan spell at St Pauli in the summer.

It is fair to say that none of the trio have made a compelling case for an extended run in the team, but while Wilder remains open to idea of recruiting a new shot-stopper next month, he hopes one of the club’s existing goalkeepers will persuade him to change his mind.

“It’s open,” said the Boro boss, whose side return to action with a home game against Swansea on Saturday. “I’d like two really good goalkeepers, and I’d like the best I can possibly get. When people talk about money and wanting to get the best goalkeeper, I want the best goalkeeper I can get, so it’s over to those guys now to show me what they can do.

“It’s an opportunity for them to establish themselves. Luke is in possession at the moment, but if I don’t feel it’s right, or if we talk about it and feel we need to make a change, then there’s two behind him battling it out who want to play.”