MICHAEL Carrick is not anticipating any high-profile Middlesbrough exits, with the focus on incomings in the final stages of the January transfer window.

While one or two fringe figures may yet depart ahead of Tuesday's deadline, Carrick certainly doesn't expect to lose any prominent members of his first team squad.

And the head coach hasn't pushed anyone towards the exit door, as he reiterates the importance of his full squad as Boro look to maintain their Championship promotion push.

Carrick and the recruitment team "know how they want the squad to look" but that won't happen overnight and plans are already in place for the summer transfer window.

While Boro are still keen on strengthening a couple of areas ahead of the deadline if the right deals are available, Carrick again stressed that he's more than happy with the squad how it stands now.

And he doesn't expect departures, though knows you can never say never in the late stages of a window.

"Not particularly," said Carrick, when quizzed on whether he anticipates any exits.

"Again, you never know what to expect and there is too long in the window still to go. We’ll have to wait and see what comes up."

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Carrick has largely kept a settled team since his appointment but that's been because of the high level of performance and good run of results rather than any lack of faith in those not in the starting XI. And he hasn't felt the need to tell any player they're surplus to requirements on Teesside.

He said: "I certainly haven't sat down with anyone (and told them they should go). It's a good squad we've got and we're trying to make the squad stronger.

"It goes back to expect the unexpected. I could never sit and guarantee anything in January, whether we keep everyone, whether players leave, whether players come in, you just have to keep wide-eyed and see what it brings.

"We know what direction we want to go in and how we want the squad to look longer term, we want to get to that as quick as we can but there'll be no rash decisions either way."