MICHAEL CARRICK will not be pushing for a new centre-forward in the January transfer window as he feels Josh Coburn and Emmanuel Latte Lath are more than capable of firing Middlesbrough to success this season.

Last January, Boro brought in Cameron Archer on loan from Aston Villa, with the forward’s performances in the second half of the season playing a major role in the club’s successful pursuit of a play-off place.

With Coburn and Latte Lath the only natural central strikers on Boro’s books, it has been suggested that the club could look to make a similar acquisition at the turn of the year, whether on loan or on a permanent basis.

Carrick, however, insists he has been more than happy with Coburn and Latte Lath’s performances in the last two months, and feels the combination of the duo ensures all attacking bases are already covered.

“In terms of our forward players, we feel like we’re doubled up in our forward line really nicely,” said the Boro boss, whose team return to action at the Riverside on Saturday when they host a Birmingham City side led for the first time by Wayne Rooney. “We don’t have totally like for like, because, for example, we’ve got Josh and Manu doubled up as our two nines and we’ve seen can both be effective in slightly different ways.

“That doesn’t change how we set up or how we play as a team - we’re still looking to play the same way and attack the same spaces, just in slightly different styles – but it’s good to have the balance. They can all fit into the system and into the structure, but carry different kind of strengths.”

Coburn has only scored one goal in his nine appearances in all competitions so far this season, but the strength of the youngster’s all-round game meant he got the nod to start the last five league games prior to the international break.

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He is likely to keep his place in the side against Birmingham, and having clearly benefited from last season’s spell at Bristol Rovers, the 20-year-old looks set for a breakthrough campaign.

Latte Lath is a more explosive option, and has scored three goals in all competitions since moving to Teesside from Italian side Atalanta in the summer, but at the moment, Carrick seems to view the Ivorian as a better bet from the substitutes’ bench.

He scored after leaving the bench in the 2-0 win over Cardiff City, and helped set up Marcus Forss’ goal after coming on as a substitute in the 4-0 win at Sunderland, and Carrick is confident he will make an increasingly valuable contribution over the course of the remainder of the season.

“I think his (Latte Lath) confidence is fine, and he’s got goals in him,” said the Boro boss. “With him and Josh, we’ve got two very different number nines who can offer threats in different ways.

“We saw that in the (Cardiff) game - Josh did a lot of good things, and then Manu came on and had a big impact on the game. It’s really encouraging moving forward to have those options.”

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough have agreed loan deals for two of the players in their Under-21s squad.

Forward, Terrell Agyemang, who joined Boro in the summer after leaving the academy set-up at Manchester City, has joined National League side Hartlepool United on a short-term loan.

Agyemang, who will turn 21 next month, made his Pools debut as a second-half substitute in Saturday’s FA Cup final qualifying round defeat to Chester City.

“I’m really delighted to get everything sorted,” said Agyemang, who is yet to make his senior debut with Boro. “It’s a good opportunity for me to make that step into first-team football. I want to enjoy every experience and do the best I can for the team.”

Agyemang’s Boro Under-21s team-mate, Fenton John, has also been on the move, joining Northern Premier League side Morpeth Town on a short-term loan deal of his own.