Aitor Karanka's Middlesbrough are chasing promotion this season after their narrow miss last season, where they were beaten by Norwich City in the play-off final at Wembley.

They were also faced with the prospect of losing top scorer and Championship Player of the Year Patrick Bamford, who returned to his parent club Chelsea.

However, manager Karanka was right to be optimistic over his side's hopes in the new season due to the great team chemistry he had helped to build. Middlesbrough had the best defence in the league last season, with young centre backs Daniel Ayala and Ben Gibson maturing into the best defenders in the league, as well as George Friend and Emilio Nsue being solid at full back.

The midfield of Grant Leadbitter and Adam Clayton were solid last season and helped Middlesbrough protect leads, which they have been excellent at this season and last season.

Mainly though, it was Bamford, Albert Adomah and Lee Tomlin who led the line, and this attacking threat proved successful as Middlesbrough finished fourth.

After losing Bamford, Jelle Vossen and Tomlin, Middlesbrough spent big in the transfer window, bringing in Uruguayan striker Christian Stuani, veteran goalscorer David Nugent, as well as the marquee signing in the shape of Stewart Downing, the local lad.

Middlesbrough started the season very well reaching top spot around the New Year but, since January, they have looked shaky and struggling to score.

To solve this problem, Steve Gibson splashed the cash on Blackburn Rovers star Jordan Rhodes in a bid to reinvigorate their promotion push, but he has failed to make a big impact yet.

Middlesbrough, after a crucial win at QPR last night, sit just two points off of leaders Burnley. Their run-in is reasonably kind, despite a potential crunch match against Brighton on the final day.

Middlesbrough will have to be clinical if they are to make their Premier League dream a reality.

FootballLeagueWorld writer Michael Hasan identifies THREE Middlesbrough players that should be let go in the summer, and THREE that they have to bring in...

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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE THREE IN, THREE OUT!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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OUT - Rhys Williams

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Australian born Middlesbrough academy prospect is unlucky to be on this list, but his career has been blighted by injury.

In the Gordon Strachan years and early Tony Mowbray years, he was one of our best and most versatile players, until he suffered a string of devastating injuries.

He put a number of great performances together for Middlesbrough in the 2012-13 season and was a fan favourite, and also attracted interest from Newcastle United and Liverpool.

After suffering damage to his ankle ligaments, he has never established himself in the Middlesbrough team, and has not played a game for a long time under Karanka.

A couple of bad loan spells later, his fitness is improving, but a future at Middlesbrough looks unlikely due to them having a very solid backline now.

OUT - Damia Abella

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Spanish right-back provides a good, experienced back option, but is behind Nsue, De Laet and Kalas for a starting position at right-back.

He was a regular for La Liga side Osasuna and was supposed to be a regular starter but, in his first appearance, he suffered a season-ending injury in Boro's defeat at Leeds United last season.

This was at a time where no right-back had established himself in the first team but, since Damia's injury, Nsue has nailed down that position and Abella is someway down the pecking order.

Abella is approaching fitness but is in his twilight years, and may seek first team football elsewhere.

OUT - Mustapha Carayol

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The winger has also faced battles with injury and was once known as Middlesbrough's best and fastest winger.

He was skilful and starting to score goals before his injury, but Karanka does not seem to be a fan of the Gambian.

After Carayol returned to fitness, he was loaned out to Huddersfield Town and then Leeds instead of getting first team chances, and he has failed to impress whilst on loan.

Adam Reach's impressive performances for Preston pushed Carayol further down the pecking order, meaning he may be keen to seek a move in May.

IN - Zach Clough

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The talented young Bolton Wanderers striker is the sparkling light of the current Bolton side, who look doomed and set for League One next season.

The Bolton starlet is attracting interest from the Championship and the Premier League, and will almost definitely leave Bolton at the end of the season.

Middlesbrough should look for more young attacking options, with Rhodes and Nugent misfiring.

Clough would be a good investment in the future and, with the dire financial state of Bolton, he is unlikely to cost a lot.

They would have to wade Premier League clubs off, but hopefully they will be one by the summer.

IN - Tom Bradshaw

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another young striker lighting up League One is Tom Bradshaw at Walsall who, at the age of 23, has 13 goals already this season, spearheading the Saddlers' attack having netted 17 last season.

He has made his debut for Wales and is a future star, and proved his ability to do it in the Championship when scoring a hat-trick against Nottingham Forest earlier in the season.

He is a lethal finisher and has good movement off and on the ball, so signing him wouldn't hurt Middlesbrough at all.

Likely to push close for top scorer in League One, he will be hoping to join Middlesbrough with Walsall in the Championship, unless Middlesbrough achieve promotion to the Premier League.

IN - Patrick Bamford

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bamford was outstanding for Middlesbrough last season whilst on loan from Chelsea, scoring 19 goals, leading the Middlesbrough promotion charge, and winning Championship Player of the Year.

Even though Middlesbrough fell short, there were a host of clubs interested in Bamford and, after turning down Middlesbrough this season to chase the Premier League dream, he has endured very unsuccessful spells at Norwich City and Crystal Palace.

His career has been damaged by these spells but his happy memories at Middlesbrough may tempt him to come back, but only if Middlesbrough can make it to the Premier League.

Middlesbrough fans... do you agree? Who else would you like to see come in to the club? Or leave? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!