Neil Warnock has insisted that he will be ruthless as Middlesbrough plan for the January transfer window.

With the Teessiders firmly in the chasing pack to secure a surprise top six finish it's crucial that the club do everything needed to ensure that the team are ready to challenge in the second half of the season.

Incomings could be a key part of the plans, but allowing players to leave on loan is also key.

Middlesbrough boast an impressive number of talented youngsters, however it's difficult to give all of them the gametime that they need to develop fully.

That means that some could leave on loan, however according to Warnock, he will have to put the needs of the club before the ambitions of his young players.

As quoted by Teesside Live, Warnock said: "First and foremost I have to look after Middlesbrough Football Club.

"In the past I've been a bit soft, going back to my Palace days when I let Glen Murray go out because he hadn't had a look in. I did that in my first week there and three weeks later I regretted it.

"We missed out because of someone like Murray's goals, but he'd pleaded with me and I looked after him rather than the club.

"I won't be doing that here, I'll only let players go out if I think we've got enough here, whether that's in the Academy.

"They'll have to wait until the end of the season."

Warnock added: "I think we're always looking to bring players in and at the same time I'll balance the books if I have to.

"We are quite thin on the numbers. One or two will want to go out because they've not been playing so they'll be knocking on my door and their agents and the parents telling me they have to go out.

"I can't be going on feeling sorry for people because they're not playing games. Nobody is not training well, they're all playing well, but I have to look after the club."

The big festive Middlesbrough quiz: Can you get 20/20?

The Verdict

This is a stance that makes perfect sense.

With fixtures coming thick and fast this term it's set to be an incredibly demanding schedule for all of his players and that's why he needs depth.

Of course some players will be allowed to move out, but the last thing he wants to do is risk being low on numbers and that's when he may have to make some difficult decisions.