Karanka and Middlesbrough have endured a rocky start in their first Premier League season in 7 years currently sitting 17th with just one win.

After last season's promotion form the Championship they invested heavily in the summer making some impressive acquisitions such as Alvaro Negredo, Victor Valdes and Viktor Fischer.

They also kept their defence together which was the best in England last season but they had a rude awakening in the Premier League with George Friend struggling in particular.

They struggled for goals as well with Christian Stuani there top scorer so far with 3 goals, including 2 against Sunderland, which is their only win so far.

But there impressive 0-0 draw with Arsenal shows how good their defence is as well as defensive midfielders like Adam Clayton and Marten De Roon.

With Jordan Rhodes getting limited opportunities Middlesbrough could do with some depth up front and in defence.

Here are FOUR Championship players Middlesbrough could sign in January:

Britt Assombalonga

The 23-year-old Congo striker has only returned from a serious injury towards the end of last season, but before this he was lethal in the Championship.

He notched a goal every other game in the 14/15 season and has 3 goals in 5 games this season and has shown impressive pace and strength as well as excellent finishing.

He's quite similar to Andre Gray and is adaptable to the physicality of the Premier League, and Middlesbrough could do with some extra options on top of Jordan Rhodes and David Nugent.

Charlie Taylor

Leeds full-back Charlie Taylor was pushing for a move in the summer and nearly left for West Brom.

He is quite unsettled at Leeds and they risk losing him on a free transfer with the academy product showing great defensive and attacking abilities.

George Friend is improving but has made a number of mistakes at left-back so Middlesbrough could do with some cover.

Alan Judge

The Irish midfielder is one of the best players in the Championship and is slowly coming back from a serious injury.

The 27-year-old scored 14 goals last season and got a handful of assists before breaking his leg and missing the Euro's.

Judge could provide a key creative spark for Middlesbrough which they were missing until Adama Traore came around but his end product isn't as good as the Brentford man's.

Robbie Brady

Another good left midfielder Middlesbrough could go in for is versatile Norwich winger Robbie Brady, who can also play at full-back.

He has an excellent strike on him, has good ability from a dead ball and he is arguably too good for the Championship after impressing for Norwich last season.

Brady also scored for the Republic of Ireland at the Euros this summer and is more consistent than any of Middlesbrough's wingers.