CHRIS WILDER will scour the free-agent market in an attempt to secure some central-midfield cover after admitting Middlesbrough suffered a “disappointing” end to the transfer window.

The Teessiders headed into deadline day hoping to sign a defensive-minded midfielder and additional forward, but despite making a number of moves, the window closed without Wilder being able to make any late additions to his squad.

A proposed deal for Frank Onyeka collapsed when Brentford refused to allow the midfielder to leave because of an injury to Christian Norgaard, while Boro were unable to engineer a deal for either Emil Riis, who remained at Preston, or Jorgen Strand Larsen, who eventually left Groningen to join Celta Vigo.

Despite the number ten and 11 on Boro’s squad list remaining vacant, Wilder is unlikely to add any forwards to the ranks ahead of January. However, with no obvious cover for Jonny Howson, the Boro boss is assessing the free-agent market as he looks to secure an additional defensive-midfield option.

Fabian Delph, Danny Drinkwater, Ross Barkley, Leandro Bacuna and Mehdi Abeid are all currently available, having been unable to secure an employer following their release earlier this summer.

“We’re light in a certain area, and we’re just going to have to get on with it,” said Wilder, whose side return to action when they host North-East rivals Sunderland at the Riverside on Monday. “That’s how it is.

“We’ll have a little peek at the free transfer list, which isn’t ideal, but it’s a job for myself and the coaching staff, in terms of trying to strengthen the group to try to make us better and stronger, and make us able to cope with certain situations and scenarios that might occur.

“There is going to have to be a peek at that. It’s not going to be ideal, but there might be something that drops out for us. So, yet again, the work doesn’t stop.

“The squad just lacks a little bit of depth in a certain position, that’s all. We've got to work hard on that out-of-contract list and hopefully somebody will be floating about that’s maybe ended their contract that might become available and that will be great. But that’s all.”

Wilder had outlined his desire to make two deadline-day additions when he spoke in the wake of last week’s defeat at Watford, but his hopes were dashed by a series of frustrations on Thursday.

The Boro boss was clearly disappointed at the lack of incoming transfer activity on the final day of the window, but two days on from deadline day, he delivered a measured assessment of the club’s summer business as a whole.

“I’ve spoken a lot about the window and how difficult it’s been,” he said. “I think it’s been a mixed bag for us – I think there were some good things at the start and through, but then ultimately it ends in a bit of disappointment. But I won’t be the first manager to be disappointed at how things have gone.

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“It’s been a big rebuild – trying to bring 12 players in is obviously difficult, but there was a reason to bring 12 players in. Would I have wanted to bring 12 players in? No. Did I think we needed to bring 12 players in? Yes.

“We managed to do a chunk of that, and we’ve managed to bring some really good players in. We’ve brought in a couple of younger players from a development point of view, and we’ve brought in some players who I’m sure will go well this season.

“At the back end of it, we’ve missed it, although it wasn’t for the want of trying. As far as I’m concerned, it’s done and dusted now. The main point now – and it’s always been the main point – is to try and coach and manage the team to better results.”

While Boro had irons in the fire as the clock ticked down on Thursday, Wilder concedes the club were never really on the verge of completing a deal.

“We tried,” he added. “What is close? Did we have players up here? No. Did we have a situation like it was at West Brom, where paperwork failed at the death? No. Were we trying to do business? Yes.”