This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Middlesbrough face going head-to-head with Birmingham City in their pursuit of Stoke City striker Lee Gregory, according to a report by the Daily Mail, as Boro look to add some much needed firepower to help them push on up the Championship table.

Gregory has only found the net four times since arriving at the bet365 Stadium in the summer, but with Boro suffering something of a goal drought, the addition of the experienced front-man could be just what the doctor ordered.

So would Gregory be a good signing at the Riverside, is he needed and would he get into the Boro starting XI?

We discuss.........

Kris Smith

“Ashley Fletcher is currently Boro’s leading marksman with just six goals, and despite hitting form of late, that little amount of goals is not good enough from the club’s top scorer so Gregory would come in and add to that.

“Gregory has only scored four goals this season and has played regularly for the Potters, so he isn’t quite the most prolific striker, however, he can’t play much worse than the players currently behind Fletcher in the pecking order.

“The performances of both Rudy Gestede and Britt Assombalonga haven’t been great this season so bringing in Gregory would be a smart move to provide serious competition to Ashley Fletcher and offer a different dimension up front.”

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Jordan Rushworth

"This would be a decent signing for Middlesbrough to make this month, with the striker having Championship experience and a proven ability to lead the line as a lone forward or link up with other strikers.

"That means that were he to sign he would offer Jonathan Woodgate the flexibility of altering his system for certain games, with the ability to partner him with the likes of Britt Assombalonga or start him on his own.

"Middlesbrough, though, do have options up front with Lukas Nmecha coming in from Manchester City on loan already this month, adding to the likes of Ashley Fletcher, Assombalonga and Rudy Gestede.

"That does suggest that Gregory would face a challenge to make it into the starting line-up, but his Championship experience and tactical flexibility would make him a real option for Woodgate's side."

Phil Spencer

“Lee Gregory’s move to Stoke City hasn’t quite worked out the way that he would have wanted and perhaps a change of scenery would be the best option.

“Middlesbrough have been looking for attacking reinforcements but I’m not sure that Lee Gregory is exactly what’s needed.

“Jonathan Woodgate has a number of senior strikers in his ranks with Britt Assombalonga, Ashley Fletcher, Rudy Gestede and Lukas Nmecha in his squad.

“Middlesbrough only play with one out-and-out frontman so unless one of the existing strikers moves on then I can’t see where Lee Gregory would fit.

“That’s not to say that his experience wouldn’t be a huge asset, but given the competition for places it’s just not a move that I can see progressing.”