Middlesbrough are on the lookout for up to five first-team signings, Chris Wilder has revealed bullishly after the arrival of Matthew Hoppe. 

Hoppe, a USMNT international, became the club’s seventh summer signing yesterday. Wilder, though, was insistent that there’s more to do in the window.

Wilder outlined how Hoppe had asked about taking on the No.9 shirt at Boro following his arrival, a request that wasn’t granted due to Middlesbrough looking to bring in another striker.

Beyond that, Wilder confirmed a No.10, No.11, No.4 and No.5 would all be brought in before the end of the window, given Boro have kept those squad numbers free at this point.

As quoted by Teesside Live, Wilder said: "He (Hoppe) wanted the number nine shirt, which I quite liked as well, but he’s not got it because we’re still going to get a number nine, and we’ll get a number ten in too.

“We’ll get a number four, a number five and a number 11 in too, because they’re the five numbers that we’ve kept spare. I think that tells a story – and that’s the message from myself and the football club.”

Quiz: Can you name which club Middlesbrough signed these 25 English players from?

Wilder’s side have started the Championship in slightly underwhelming fashion, taking just a point from fixtures with West Brom and Queens Park Rangers.

An opening day draw with West Brom was credible, yet Boro were beaten 3-2 by QPR the following weekend. They’ve also crashed out of the League Cup to Barnsley on Wednesday night.

Boro face Sheffield United in the Championship on Sunday.

The Verdict

Reading between the lines here, Wilder wants two attacking additions in the remainder of the window, as well as someone creative to take on that No.11 shirt.

A No.4 and No.5 would suggest two more defensive-minded players, likely a defender and defensive midfielder.

It’s a relatively clear message from Wilder and it’s delivered in a bullish manner that suggests he is expecting these signings through the door before the end of the month.

Thoughts? Let us know!