MICHAEL Carrick insists Middlesbrough are calm about Emmanuel Latte Lath's situation heading into the January transfer window, despite the striker's agent this week claiming he "expects something to happen".

Ipswich made a late move for Latte Lath in the summer window and are still being linked with the Ivorian, while West Ham United have also reportedly had the Boro man watched in recent weeks.

Latte Lath had a slow start to the season but has scored seven goals in his last 11 games, with the striker's agent Matthias Veneroso this week telling the media in Italy: "Eight goals in the first part of the Championship and we expect something to happen in January.

"He is a striker and strikers are always the subject of attention in the January transfer window."

Clubs in Europe have also been linked with the 25-year-old, but Carrick insists there's no panic at Boro.

"Nothing has changed from our point of view, said the head coach.

"I'm calm about that. We're pretty happy with how things are. It [the speculation] has not come from us. That's kind of it really.

"We're looking to be successful. We have a good squad and have a lot of options. It's pretty clear where we stand.

"The speculation doesn't really make a difference for us. We're in control of a lot of things. There's always decisions to be made.

"But we're happy with the squad we've got and we want to come out of January as strong, if not stronger, than we're going into it. We'll do everything we can to do that."

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Boro made it clear Latte Lath wasn't for sale in the summer and were true to their word when Ipswich made a £20m deadline day move.

Carrick says Boro's recent stance when it comes to keeping star players fills him with confidence, but added: "You have to be realistic as well in terms of where we are and what other leagues and teams are out there.

"There's a realism about it but certainly for us we're pushing and striving to improve as a group. We want to keep getting better and improve as much as we can."

Carrick praised Latte Lath early in the season for the way he'd put the summer uncertainty behind him and the striker remains a popular figure in the dressing room. He's accepted Carrick's striker rotation, with Latte Lath and Tommy Conway jostling for the starting spot up-front.

"You can see, especially of late, how he's played [that he's committed," said Carrick.

"With Manu and Tommy we have really good options. From our point of view, we're cracking on as normal and we're in a good place

"We have a good group, good squad and good team. Manu has played well when he's played. He's shared it with Tommy and both have done pretty well."