The Middlesbrough FC players likely to leave in two months time | OneFootball

FLW takes a look at a few Boro players who may be set for moves away from the Riverside Stadium in the upcoming January transfer window.

Middlesbrough have enjoyed a mixed start to the season, with Michael Carrick's side aiming for Premier League promotion.

Boro have struggled for consistency in their results and performances so far this campaign, but there were some strong signs prior to the November international break that this may have been resolved.

Emphatic wins over Queens Park Rangers and Luton Town, as well as a home win over Sheffield United, highlighted just how dangerous a side they can be when they're at their ruthless best.

Those outings will have filled the Boro faithful with renewed optimism that they can retake their place among English football's elite come May, but with the January transfer window appearing ever closer on the horizon, it might be time for some players to seek an exit route out of Teesside.

Football League World takes a look at a few of those Middlesbrough players who could be set to seal transfers, either permanently or on loan, away from the Riverside Stadium in the upcoming winter window...

Tom Glover

It's fair to say that Tom Glover's Middlesbrough career hasn't gone to plan since joining on a free transfer from Melbourne City FC in July 2023.

The 26-year-old goalkeeper arrived on Teesside just one day before Seny Dieng signed from Queens Park Rangers, as the two shot stoppers looked to compete for the starting gloves at the Riverside.

In truth, however, it hasn't been much of a competition, with Dieng only ceding his starting role to Glover for a handful of cup ties, and through injury between mid-December-late February last season.

That period represented the Australian's big chance to establish himself as the number one in Dieng's absence, but despite a couple of strong showings, multiple mistakes and unconvincing performances only served to strengthen Dieng's position in the pecking order.

The emergence of Sol Brynn has now seemingly pushed Glover down to third-choice in Carrick's squad, a role he surely won't have much desire to play. As such, it would be no surprise to see him call time on his Middlesbrough career in January with a permanent exit.

Alex Gilbert

Alex Gilbert is a player who's seemingly always taken his chance to impress when handed the opportunity, but yet cannot seem to break into Carrick's starting XI.

The 22-year-old Irish youth international has had to remain extremely patient since arriving from Brentford in July 2023, and despite making 12 appearances in the Championship last season, he was only on the pitch for a total of 226 minutes.

In that time, however, the attacking midfielder bagged a goal and three assists, and looked every bit of that creative forward player that Carrick loves to deploy in his Middlesbrough side.

Finn Azaz has presented a sizeable roadblock to starting opportunities though, but Gilbert will surely feel that he's shown on more than enough occasions that he's ready to be handed a larger role at the Riverside.

As of yet though, that hasn't come, and with Azaz in sparkling form, it's difficult to see where his next opportunity comes from. Therefore, a short-term loan move in the second half of the season would surely be a deal that would interest and suit both parties.

George McCormick

One of Middlesbrough's most highly-rated prospects emerging from their academy system, 19-year-old George McCormick has already started his breakthrough into the first-team setup this season.

A versatile defender capable of operating as a centre-back, and as a full-back, McCormick was one of the shining stars of Boro's pre-season. As a result, he's been rewarded with a handful of senior appearances across the Championship and Carabao Cup already this term.

He's evidently a player that Carrick and Boro's coaching staff have a high amount of trust in, with big expectations for the future, but Middlesbrough are also set to be reinforced in their defensive unit over the coming weeks.

At left-back, Alex Bangura and Lukas Engel will be hoping to make their returns from injury shortly, as will centre-backs Dael Fry and Darragh Lenihan. Once they do, Carrick will be able to call upon his experienced options once again, and will perhaps stump McCormick's opportunities in the second half of the season.

Boro won't want to see that happen, but by already bleeding him into the first team, the club may well feel that he's begun to outgrow academy football. As such, a loan move to League One or League Two could be an ideal opportunity to obtain some valuable experience in the second half of the season.