JOSH COBURN is staying at Middlesbrough and won't be going out on loan ahead of Friday night's transfer deadline, Michael Carrick has confirmed.

Boro had considered a loan move for Coburn - with a switch to Plymouth lined up - but the decision has now been made to keep the 20-year-old on Teesside.

That suggests the arrival of another striker at Boro is unlikely before tomorrow's 11pm deadline, but Carrick says the club will continue to monitor the market in the final hours.

He said: "The window is still open so you can't just turn your phone off and finish."

Boro celebrated a double transfer boost on Thursday morning, with the loan captures of Sam Greenwood from Leeds and Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O'Brien.

The squad looks set to be further boosted by the arrival of SC Cambuur left-back Alex Bangura.

Boro have been keen on adding a striker to their ranks, but Greenwood is comfortable playing up-front, and Coburn will now be desperate to make an impact. His only appearance in the Championship so far this season came late on from the bench at Coventry, but the frontman has been working his way back to full fitness after suffering a knee injury in the early stages of pre-season.

"Josh is staying with us," confirmed Carrick.

"It's important for us as a club to look after our younger players, especially the ones coming through and develop and put them in the right place at the right time.

"Sometimes the right pathway changes. Coming back in pre-season, it was a case of getting to know Josh a bit more and deciding whether he went on loan or not, it was about what's best for Josh and what's best for us as a group and a squad.

"Over time it's been pretty clear what Josh can bring.

"He's back fit, looking really strong, we're delighted to have him and all round it's the best decision to have him with us."

Despite the Coburn decision, Carrick didn't rule out further additions on deadline day

He said: "Sometimes things are in our hands where you might push for certain things, other time things get thrown upon you because somebody is interested in one of your players.

"You have to expect the unexpected. We're ready for anything. We feel we're in a good place.

"We're definitely not chasing and desperate for anything in terms of rash decisions. We feel like we're in control. But yeah of course, you always have to be ready for something that's thrown up in front of you."

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Bangura - a target since early in the summer - looks set to arrive to strengthen the left-back department and provide competition for Lukas Engel. Carrick refused to be drawn on whether the arrival of Bangura will mean Hayden Coulson could go out on loan.

Bangura, 24, is an attacking full-back and Sierra Leone international who is in the final 12 months of his contract at Cambuur.

Carrick said: "I can't really go into individuals at this stage, I'm sure you'll understand.

"There's all sorts of speculation and reports around some of the players. Some of them I do have a chuckle about at times.

"In terms of commenting on players, I save that for if and when we get anyone through the door."

Asked about Coulson's situation, the head coach said: "Again, it depends what goes on. At this moment in time we're happy with what we've got.

"At this moment I'm delighted with the squad we've got."