Middlesbrough are reportedly battling Ipswich Town and Preston North End for Northampton Town goalkeeper David Cornell according to Football Insider. 

Cornell has made 18 appearances in total for the League Two side, as they currently sit sixth in the fourth tier table in a positive start to this year's league campaign.

The 28-year-old has kept eight clean sheets so far this season, and will be confident of adding to that tally as the season progresses through the festive period.

Cornell's contract with Northampton expires in the summer of 2020, so his future could potentially lie away from the Cobblers.

A move to Middlesbrough could be a tempting proposition for Cornell as well, with Boro currently playing their football in the Championship.

But he'll be wanting first team assurances, which are likely to be hard to come by in Jonathan Woodgate's side this term, with Darren Randolph and Aynsley Pears likely to be ahead of him in the pecking order in the Middlesbrough squad.

Football Insider have also revealed that Middlesbrough are among the clubs that have already watched Cornell in action in recent weeks, as they weigh up a potential bid in the January transfer window.

Cornell could next be in action on Tuesday evening when Northampton take on League One side Portsmouth in the EFL Trophy, where he could be in for a busy evening at Fratton Park.

Middlesbrough will be preparing for their next league game this weekend, when they take on Charlton Athletic, where they could be favourites given the Addicks' growing injury list.

The Verdict: 

Surely they don't need another goalkeeper?

Darren Randolph has been really impressive so far this season, and has won Boro vital points that have kept them out of the relegation zone at times.

Aynsley Pears has been doing an absolutely fine job in Randolph's absence in recent weeks, and I'm not convinced that Cornell would get into the starting XI ahead of Middlesbrough's current options.

Their money would be better spent elsewhere in January, as they look to steer themselves clear of the bottom three.