MICHAEL Carrick says Middlesbrough won't panic and will stick to their plan in the "crazy" final days of the summer transfer window.

Boro - who booked their place in the third round of the Carabao Cup with a come from behind win at Bolton - are continuing their efforts to add to the squad ahead of Friday night's deadline, but Carrick insists they'll only sign the "right players".

Boro are understood to be in the market for a midfielder, a No.10 and a striker ahead of Friday's deadline, while reports emerged on Tuesday claiming they're also one of the clubs to have shown an interest in Liverpool defender Nat Phillips.

Carrick says Boro "have a good idea" of how the final days and hours will play out, though admits there is a need to be prepared for the unexpected.

He said: "Listen, we'll see what comes. We're obviously working to do certain things. It is what it is, you have to make the best of it. It's not ideal in terms of timing but it's something we have to make the best of. Whether some come in or not, it's not always in our hands, but we'll definitely trying to make the best of it.

"Things get thrown up at these crazy stages, sometimes it's expected, sometimes it's not, we'll just make the most of it.

"You try to be calm. We're not doing anything rash or getting carried away. It's the nature of the beast, everyone has a panic at what is going to be pulled out of the hat, but we're calm and have a good idea of what might happen. We'll have to wait and see."

Boro are prioritising permanent signings in the final days of the window - as they have all summer - but one or two loan signings are possible if the right Premier League players become available.

Boro are keen on strengthening in the centre of midfield, where they're one player light on last season after Alex Mowatt returned to West Brom at the start of the summer. Signing a versatile No.10 is also on the wishlist after Chuba Akpom's exit, as is strengthening up-front to provide competition for Emmanuel Latte Lath. If and when a striker is signed, Josh Coburn is expected to join Plymouth on loan.

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Carrick said: "We know what we want the the squad to look like. That adapts and it depends on who you get in and we're delighted with the boys we've managed to get in, so it does adapt over time.

"It's never the perfect squad but there's always something chopping or changing here or there, so the jigsaw pieces are always moving. That's the challenge and you have to enjoy it and make the most of it and try and fill them spots if and when they become available, but it has to be the right player."

On Coburn's situation, Carrick said: "Josh is part of our group. It's been great to have him in and around the group in pre-season. He took a knock which is a shame, it was a bit of he might go on loan, he might not. It depends what's best for Josh but also it depends what's best for us. So ins and outs do play a part so we'll have to wait and see what works out for Josh."