Middlesbrough are going into the new season with a feeling of real optimism in the camp.

The Teessiders ran out of steam in their push for the play-offs last term but based on their summer transfer business there's a good chance that they could be firmly in the mix come the end of next term.

Neil Warnock has already brought in a number of new faces to the Riverside Stadium, while it's expected that there could be a number of additional faces coming onboard before the end of the summer transfer window.

But who based on the current state of play who will be in Warnock's best XI? We take a look!

Middlesbrough's undisputed first choice goalkeeper going into the opening weekend.

Despite failing to nail down a regular starting spot at Queens Park Rangers the 26-year-old heads to the Riverside Stadium as the man who will be Neil Warnock's first pick between the sticks.

A new goalkeeper could still join before the end of the month but with doubts over Dejan Stojanovic's future and Sol Brynn being one for the future it seems that Lumley faces little competition for his place.

It'll be interesting to see how Lumley adapts to being the main man at a Championship club and the first few weeks will shape that.

Anfernee Dijksteel is facing a real challenge to keep his spot in the side.

After a difficult first year at the club the former Charlton man really came of age last term and established himself as one of Neil Warnock's top performers, particularly during the first half of the campaign.

While a spot in the starting XI is his to lose, there's going to be real competition for places.

As it stands Lee Peltier and Djed Spence will be vying for his spot in the side, while Darnell Fisher will also come back into contention once he has overcome his long-term injury issue.

But for now Dijksteel will be be focused on getting his season off to a strong start like he did last term.

Arguably the first name on Middlesbrough's team sheet.

The 23-year-old has really grown in influence over the last 12 months and with that in mind it seems that Fry is going to be one of Neil Warnock's real leaders on the pitch.

A new central defender could be coming into the club before the end of the month but in truth any competition in central defence will be among players vying to line up alongside Fry.

This is a season where Fry will want to establish himself as one of the best defenders in the Championship, and maybe even do enough to earn a place in the Premier League next term.

A player who will certainly be given a chance to keep his place.

Grant Hall defied all expectations during his first season with Middlesbrough due to his powerful displays at the back and reliability at mopping up danger in the Boro penalty area.

There's going to be competition for places and with the likes of Anfernee Dijksteel, Paddy McNair and youngster Nathan Wood all possibilities to line up at centre-back it means that the former QPR man will need to be on his game.

There's no reason to think that he won't impress under Warnock but if his levels do drop then there are several names who will be waiting in the wings.

A position where competition for places is pretty sparse.

Similar to Anfernee Dijksteel, Marc Bola endured a tough first season at the club but really came into his own last season and established himself as one of the club's most reliable defenders.

Bola will start the season at left-back and while Hayden Coulson is still at the club and providing some level of competition, it's clear that his days at the club could be numbered.

Warnock will be looking to bring in another option this month, but for now, Bola has the jersey.

Jonny Howson just has to be in the starting XI.

The midfielder may be 33 years of age and approaching the autumn of his career but based on his performances last term it's clear that he's still got plenty of gas in the tank as he prepares for another season of Championship football.

Howson is as reliable a midfielder as you're likely to find and so Neil Warnock will not want to drop him from the side unless he's absolutely sure that his other options can offer than the former Leeds man does in terms of all-round play.

A player who looks set for a big season.

Sam Morsy joined Middlesbrough last summer from Wigan Athletic where he was a real fans' favourite, however his time at the club so far has been mixed at best.

The midfielder has showed his combative qualities while also showing his ability to get on the ball and play, however the 29-year-old is certainly someone who has a point to prove this season.

New faces will be coming into the club and so the challenge for Morsy is on proving that he's capable of being the leader that Neil Warnock needs in the middle of the park.

Paddy McNair is guaranteed to be in Neil Warnock's starting XI, it's just a case of where.

The Northern Ireland international spent much of last season in central defence where he looked really impressive as a ball-playing central defender, however there was a real feeling that we weren't seeing the best that he had to offer.

This term it looks likely that McNair will revert back to his box-to-box central midfield role where he dead-ball delivery, passing and shooting ability can really be shown off.

McNair has the potential to be one of the Championship's most influential players and the challenge for Neil Warnock will be on unlocking exactly that.

Another player who could be set for a massive season.

Marcus Tavernier was arguably Middlesbrough's most dangerous attacking talent last term but a series of niggling injuries stopped him from really finding his flow.

However this term could see the academy graduate freed up to play his natural game.

While he can play at wing-back or central midfield, I expect Tavernier to be utilised on the right flank where he'll be able to cut inside and use his left-foot to cause plenty of problems for opposition players.

If Tavernier can sustain his undoubted quality, he's a player who could be playing for a move to the Premier League next term.

One of Middlesbrough's new boys looks set to play a big role this term.

Matt Crooks has been hugely influential for Rotherham United in recent seasons and after moving to Teesside he'll be hoping to recreate that at the Riverside Stadium.

The 27-year-old is a box-to-box central midfielder and he's someone who looks destined to be a first team regular, however as it stands it remains to be seen what role he will occupy in Neil Warnock's side.

It wouldn't a surprise to see him enjoying more of a free role in the short-term, but over the course of the season I'd expect him to be challenging the central midfield three for a place in the side.

Middlesbrough's new striker looks ready to hit the ground running.

Uche Ikpeazu contributed six goals and five assists for Wycombe Wanderers as they suffered relegation, but the hope this term will be that he can really kick on.

With pace and power to burn, Ikpeazu is an ideal Neil Warnock signing and with little competition for places in attack he looks certain to be in the starting XI.

New strikers are a must before the end of the transfer window but for now, the 26-year-old will be trusted with the role of being the club's lone attacker.