MICHAEL Carrick believes Middlesbrough's new recruits will help to ease the feeling of "emptiness" after the frustrating defeat to Preston.

And Boro's head coach is hopeful of further adding to his squad in the final week of the window.

It was a hugely productive few days off the pitch for Boro, with Ryan Giles, Morgan Whittaker and George Edmundson all joining the club. But they couldn't end the week in style on the pitch, with Carrick's side slumping to a 2-1 defeat at Deepdale.

Despite that setback, Carrick insists he remains hugely excited about the months ahead, with Boro's strong squad coming together nicely - and further new signings expected.

Boro are working on the addition of a new goalkeeper ahead of the deadline a week on Monday, even more of a priority after Seny Dieng needed surgery on an Achilles injury, and midfield is also an area that could be strengthened.

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Boro are also ready to act if Emmanuel Latte Lath was to leave in the coming week, though his situation remains unclear as things stand. The striker was forced off injured in the first half at Preston.

"It’s an important time to try and improve the squad, strengthen it," said Carrick.

"We’re happy with the last three days, the boys we brought in, we’ll see what happens this week if anything else happens.

"I think we’re excited, there’s a lot to play for before the end of the season, I still feel as a team we’re improving but there’s certain things we need to nip in the bud, individuals and collectively we need to come together."

He added: "It's been a positive few days with the result in midweek and Ryan coming back, George signing permanently and Morgan. It's been a real positive few days leading to this. We feel empty now and naturally so."

Giles made his second Boro debut from the bench in the second half at Preston.

Carrick said: "I don't have to explain to you what Ryan brings. We know that. He's a little bit different to Neto. But I thought Neto played really well today and it gives us a different option."

Despite the Preston setback, Carrick remains confident Boro's season can finish on a high.

He said: "It’s the up and down of disappointment and happiness, but it doesn’t change what we feel is possible. We’ll talk about what we need to do better but there’s certainly encouragement going forward into these games."