Middlesbrough are one of the biggest sides in the Championship, and also have one of the strongest squads, which has made them one of the promotion favourites.

With the backing of Steve Gibson, manager Aitor Karanka has transformed Middlesbrough from mid-table mediocrity to a team to be feared with a mean defence and a potent attack.

They came so close last year, agonisingly missing out on automatic promotion before losing the Championship play-off final to Norwich.

But Middlesbrough have moved on from that disappointment and added impressively to there squad in January, with the big money signing of former local lad Stewart Downing, and also adding talented attackers David Nugent and Christian Stuani.

He also added creativity to the midfield in the shape of Diego Fabbrini and Carlos De Pena, as well as cover for the notoriously mean Middlesbrough defence.

The Teeside club will look to add to there squad in January in preparation for the big end of season push.

Whilst funds will be a bit low due to their spree in the summer, the loan market is still available, and also, Steve Gibson is likely to back Karanka with his every penny, as they look to return to the promised land.

Here are FIVE signings Middlesbrough could make in the summer to help take them to the next level.....

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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE FIVE PLAYERS!

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Patrick Bamford

The Chelsea youngster endured an excellent loan spell at Middlesbrough last season, scoring 19 goals in all competitions and winning the Championship Player of the Year.

Bamford had the world at his feet when he returned to Chelsea, with a host of Premier League teams keen on acquiring him, with fellow London club Crystal Palace winning his signature on loan.

But sadly for Bamford, he has had first-team football at Palace hard to come by, and has played about 20 minutes of football for Palace so far, but does have the option to cancel his loan deal at Palace in January and return to Chelsea.

This is something which he will most likely do and Middlesbrough will be keen on taking him on loan in January.

Michail Antonio

The talented West Ham midfielder has also found first team football hard to come by at Upton Park, despite his excellent form for Nottingham Forest last season.

The recent injury crisis at West Ham in recent weeks may force Bilic to start using him, but if not, then plenty of Championship clubs will be interested in signing him in January on loan, as he can play on the wing but score plenty of goals.

Middlesbrough also, do not have a nailed down left midfielder, with Downing preferring the central role and Fabbrini not natural there either.

Jordan Rhodes

Certainly a player that will help Middlesbrough go up a level is talented Blackburn striker Jordan Rhodes.

The Scottish international is one of the best strikers in the Championship, and has consistently scored 20 plus goals since moving there from Huddersfield, and it is a great shock to people that no Premier League side has taken a chance on him.

Middlesbrough were leading a dogged pursuit of him in the summer, but Blackburn were reluctant to sell him to Middlesbrough demanding upwards of £14 million pounds.

He would be the final piece of the jigsaw, though, we don't know how much money Karanka has available to spend.

Tom Bradshaw

The young Walsall striker has been sensational for the League One side this season, and is attracting plenty of interest from higher league sides.

He has a big future ahead of him and has been capped by Wales at youth levels.

Bradshaw is likely to cost a seven figure fee, but is a player with a bright future in the game and Karanka will be keen on adding youth to his experienced striker division.

Dwight Gayle

The young Crystal Palace striker was linked heavily with a move to the Championship over the summer, and a fee was agreed with Bristol City, but Gayle was reluctant to move and he ended up staying to fight for his place.

The striker is blessed with excellent pace and shooting ability and was very successful with Peterborough at this level ,which earned him his Palace move.

He may cost upwards of £8 million, but would be successful at this level with a good goal return.

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