With Middlesbrough sitting second in the table, two points behind Hull City with a game in hand, this is Aitor Karanka's best chance for promotion.

Having picked up on two points from a possible twelve since beating Brentford, Middlesbrough need to regain their form and quickly.

Karanka's side have looked destined to go up since the start of the season and the inclusion of Jordan Rhodes to that already excellent squads adds to the pressure.

Despite having one of the largest and talented squads in the division, there is always room for improvement and the clever use of the loan market could make the difference.

West Ham, on the other hand, has been one of the surprise packages in one of the most unpredictable Premier League seasons ever.

The East London side are sat seventh and only a solitary point behind Manchester United in fifth.

Both Slaven Bilic and Aitor Karanka might look to use the loan market in differing ways.

Bilic may look to use the loan market as a means of player management and development, offering senior players on the fringe of West Ham the chance to get first team football.

Bilic may also look to loan out some of his young starlets to see how they cope with the difficulties and pressures of senior first team football.

This article will look at THREE West Ham players who could join Middlesbrough in the emergency loan window.....

[ffc-gallery]

PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE 3 PLAYERS!

[/ffc-gallery]

 

Reece Oxford

Although Middlesbrough is renowned for having an excellent defensive set up, Aitor Karanka may look to provide some more competition to ensure that they keep at their defensive best.

One player that has the quality and would slot in well to Middlesbrough's set up would be Reece Oxford. The young English midfielder has impressed in his breakthrough season especially on the opening day of the season when he contributed heavily to West Ham's 2-0 victory away at Arsenal.

The young talent has made 17 appearances for England's Under-17's, and if he can keep fit and keep improving in an excellent youth set up then he could reach the very top of the game.

Karanka may also turn to Oxford as he can be played at both centre-half or in the midfield as an enforcer, with his athleticism, he can cover a lot of ground and he has also showed to have quality on the ball which suits Middlesbrough's style of the play.

 

Raphael Spiegel

One position that could be stronger for Middlesbrough is between the sticks.

Konstantopoulos has impressed for the North East side but Raphael Spiegel could be an excellent understudy and provide cover in the off chance of a suspension or injury.

Spiegel is known as an excellent shot-stopper and also has good distribution from the back that could help launch attacks from deep, and act as almost another outfield player with his distribution.

The Swiss goalkeeper with vast experience in the Swiss Challenge League for Grasshoppers hasn't had an opportunity at West Ham yet.

The keeper has spent short periods of time out on loan at both Carlisle United and Crawley Town but Bilic may look to get Spiegel playing at a higher level.

Spiegel may look to go out on loan again as he is behind Randolph and Adrian and is, therefore, struggling to get playing time and with a number of appearances for Switzerland's Under 21 side, there is still a chance that he could head to the European Championship in the summer as the third goalkeeper.

Spiegel would be another astute addition for Karanka and could make the difference if there is a potential injury, or if Konstantopoulos was to drop his consistency and fall out of form.

Marcus Browne

The final potential player that Middlesbrough could take on loan from West Ham is Marcus Browne.

The young midfielder is energetic and full of running in the middle of the park and his stamina and athleticism would provide an alternative option to Middlesbrough's current midfield options.

His ability to hassle and pressure the opposition and do the dirty work would allow Middlesbrough's creative options a free license to roam forward and attack relentlessly without having to worry about defensive duties.

Browne has also shown at youth level that he is excellent at dead ball situations.

His goalscoring ability from free-kicks and also excellent set-piece deliveries from corners would be an excellent backup option to Leadbitter and Downing.

Of the three, Browne would be the biggest risk for Karanka but I also think that of the three, Browne would get the most of the loan spell as it would enhance his development the most.