The January transfer window is almost here and for Middlesbrough it could be a busy month.

It's been far from an ideal first half of the season with Jonathan Woodgate struggling to pick up results in his first job in management.

Of course it'd be unfair to blame Woodgate on his own, as the departure of several experienced players and the brief of signing raw, high potential signings has meant that the last few months have been part of the process.

But regardless of the brief, results need to be better.

January is the ideal time to address performances so far this term as the Middlesbrough hierarchy look at potential additions, while also looking at the current players in the squad to decide who should stay and who could be deemed surplus to requirements.

But what are the scenarios that the Teessiders will be addressing next month? We take a look.

The goalkeeper is one man who could be grabbing the headlines next month.

Reports have suggested that the 32-year-old is attracting interest from Premier League side West Ham - something which isn't a surprise based on his reputation as one of the best stoppers in the Championship.

Middlesbrough may be open to letting him leave the club, but only for the right price.

Middlesbrough need to add numbers to the squad, and the attacking third could be the key area.

While a striker would add competition for places up top, it's a pacy winger or a technically-gifted number 10 that is likely to be a top priority for the Teessiders, who at the time of writing are the lowest goalscorers in the Championship with 17.

Of course this will be a case of who is available and whether a deal offers good value for money.

A number of players are out of contract next summer, meaning that their futures are bound to be in the headlines.

Daniel Ayala, George Friend, Ryan Shotton, Rudy Gestede and Marvin Johnson are among those who could leave for free next summer, meaning that Middlesbrough could look to salvage a transfer fee in January.

Of course that depends on their desire to stay at the club, but it could be a month of high turnover in the playing squad.