MIDDLESBROUGH are hoping to finalise the signing of left-back Alex Bangura ahead of Friday night's transfer deadline.

The Sierra Leone international - who has been on Boro's radar since the start of the summer - is in the final 12 months of his contract at Dutch club SC Cambuur.

He will provide competition for Lukas Engel, while Boro also have Hayden Coulson in that department - though it's not clear at this stage whether Coulson will be allowed to leave on loan if Bangura signs.

Boro were celebrating a double transfer boost on Thursday with the captures of Lewis O'Brien and Sam Greenwood.

Boro are continuing their efforts to sign a striker, but as things stand it's understood a move for Tom Cannon is unlikely, though obviously things can quickly change at this stage of the window.

Everton striker Cannon has been linked with a string of Championship clubs, including Preston, where he impressed on loan in the second half of last season.