AFTER deals for new signings were ‘down the line’ last weekend, Middlesbrough will take a similar squad from last week’s draw with West Brom down to the capital this weekend but manager Chris Wilder insists those deals have not broken down.

Speaking after last week’s draw at the Riverside Stadium, Wilder revealed that a number of deals were close to completion and that they could possibly have been done before their Championship opener last Saturday. Those deals have not got over the line this week with Boro heading down to Queens Park Rangers with Paddy McNair back in the fold after serving his suspension last weekend.

Regarding the deals Boro have in place already, there is no danger to them collapsing. The club are continuing to push to get them over the line and the manager has been unrelenting in wanting have new players in time for this weekend. Wilder said in this morning’s press conference: “There’s no issues there; no deals broken down. I am a little bit disappointed we haven’t got anything done this week, of course.

“I’m a selfish manager - I’m the selfish kid in the sweet shop, I want that, I want that and I want that. That’s the way it is and of course I’m a little bit disappointed. But I’m quite happy I’m like this. I’m quite happy I’m waking up in the middle of the night and going we need to get that done and we need to get that done.”

“I’m always pushing and I bet the people above me are thinking, ‘why have brought this guy in, he’s onto us all the time. I am, and I’m not going to make any apologies for that. I’ve told them I will push and I will push and that’s the kind of person I am. As soon as the window is shut I’ll be delighted.

“It should have shut last week, as I previously said, but it isn’t and, as I said, I’m driving everybody crazy. I’ve got to say, I’m not going to apologise for that.”

The Boro boss did confirm that they have submitted a bid for Norwegian striker Jorgen Strand Larsen but Groningen remain firm in their stance of wanting to keep the player.

They also have a number of bids for targets they are waiting to here back from but unfortunately it’s as they were for this weekend. “We’re going to travel with the same group down too London so. It’s ongoing. I’ve not got anything to give you” he added.

“Obviously we know how difficult it is to get signings in and we all understand that and the situation we are all involved in. Not just me at Middlesbrough. Until they’ve got the scarf or shirt to announce them, nothings happened. There is a 12 o’clock cut off.

“All I’ll say is everyone is extremely busy and diligent in their work to improve the group which we always understand. It needs improving. Through what we saw last week and the gaps in the squad that need filling. We’ve worked away this week but we keep working until we get them over the line.”

After spending last weekend’s draw with West Brom as an unused substitute, Dael Fry is fit for selection this weekend for the game at the Prince Kayan Foundation Stadium. “Dael will be involved. He’s played most of pre-season and is a valuable member of the squad” added Wilder.

“Paddy comes back in and Tommy (Smith) has been outstanding in the group - everything I believed he would bring in terms of experience, pressure on the group and attitude, which has been great.

“Zack’s (Steffen) performance was spot on, but we’ve got Liam as well, and we’ve brought in Marcus (Forss) as well. The group is building, but it will get better. The biggest thing now is me making sure I keep my eye on the main event and we do what we need to do to ensure we’re successful.”

Latest signing Marcus Forss has spent the last week with his new team mates on the training ground while Chuba Akpom continues to work his way up to full fitness having missed most of pre-season. Both featured in last week’s draw against the Baggies.

The Boro boss said: “We’ve had a week to work with Marcus and Chuba. We have to understand that Chuba missed a lot of pre-season so him coming back in the last two weeks, he’s still getting to grips with being involved in the first team.

“Duncan has had a couple of issues as well. We are building but I do believe we are a team that will progress through the season and get better as the season progresses."