MICHAEL Carrick says Middlesbrough achieved their January aim of ending the window with a stronger and more balanced squad than they had at the start of the month.

And after Cameron Archer made his mark in his first start for Boro last weekend, Carrick is looking forward to seeing what fellow window recruits Dan Barlaser and Aaron Ramsey can bring in the second half of the season.

Barlaser joined over the weekend before the deadline day arrival of Ramsey, leaving Carrick delighted with the work carried out by the club's recruitment chiefs.

He says: “We’re really happy with the squad. We feel we’re stronger and well-balanced as a group that we were going into it. That’s the aim going in, and I certainly feel we’re in good place.

"We’re certainly delighted with the boys that came in and looking forward to seeing what they can bring. I’m really happy with how we all went about it, as a group of coaches, and as staff - obviously working with Keiran (Scott, head of football) and his staff very closely - and I’m delighted with the position we’ve ended up in."

January can be frantic, particularly in the final stages of the month, but Carrick insists there was never any panic on Teesside and his first experience of a transfer window as head coach was relatively stress-free.

“It was all quite smooth and quite calm," he says.

"We said all along, we were quite clear with what we wanted to do and we were clear in what we wanted to get. And if we couldn’t get that, so be it. We’d be still happy with the squad we had.

"We have plenty of players that are capable already and whoever who has played, and whoever we’ve played against, I feel that we’ve done well. So the fact I feel we have now improved the group is even better.

"There were no dramas and we’re happy with the way it went."

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While Ramsey is unavailable this weekend as he works his way back to fitness after knee surgery, Barlaser is expected to be in the matchday squad for the visit of Blackpool, but is likely to have to settle for a place on the bench, with Jonny Howson and Hayden Hackney having impressed in midfield.

Carrick said: “I’ve been watching Dan for a while. We were trying to get him earlier in the window but it took a bit longer, which is understandable because that’s how it can be at this time of year. We’re delighted to have him because he’s a really good footballer.

"He takes the ball really well, plays forward really well and is composed. We feel he’ll fit into how we want to play and what we’ll ask of him with no problem. He already has two or three days training in him and it feels like he’s been here a lot longer already."