Middlesbrough will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest last weekend, after a short international break.

Tony Pulis succumbed to only their second league defeat of the season as former Boro boss Aitor Karanka returned to the Riverside as Boro lost their first game in four outings.

The North East club hadn't conceded a goal in the league at home before last Saturday's encounter, which proves how much of a solid outfit Boro really are this season.

Pulis will be looking to go one step further than his side's play-off semi-final defeat last term, and with the January transfer window drawing ever closer, now is the time for the Welshman to start drawing up some transfer targets.

Here, we take a look at five players that should be on Pulis' shopping list in January...

News has recently emerged that the Manchester United midfielder is a January target for Boro's promotion rivals Leeds United and Aston Villa, and perhaps Pulis should also join the race to sign the Scottish international.

He would arguably get more game-time at Boro and could prove to be a very good signing.

Oli Burke has featured just three times for West Brom this season and doesn't look likely of breaking into the Baggies' XI anytime soon.

Pulis should definitely look to pounce upon this opportunity - Burke has proven himself to be a really dangerous player at Championship level during is time at Nottingham Forest and could be a long-term replacement for the ageing Stewart Downing

Another exciting player that Boro could look to reignite interest in in January is Queens Park Rangers winger Luke Freeman, who was reportedly a summer target for Tony Pulis' men.

The 26-year old's future at Loftus Road is in doubt, and the R's may look to cash in on their star asset to avoid running the risk of letting the playmaker leave on a free.

If Boro are looking for defensive reinforcements in January, then they should look no further than Robert Huth, who remains a free agent following his release from Leicester City in the summer.

The three-time Premier League winner is now 34-years old, however the big German would still have a lot to offer.

For back-up to George Friend, Crystal Palace outcast Pape Souare could be a good option for Boro.

The 28-year old has made just two appearances for Palace this term and could be available for a cut-price in January.