MICHAEL Carrick says George Edmundson's "fantastic" first half of the season for Middlesbrough has led to this month's efforts to make his loan deal from Ipswich Town permanent.

Carrick has been hugely impressed with Edmundson on and off the pitch, with the centre-half starting 19 of Boro's 26 Championship games so far this season and establishing himself as a popular member of the dressing room.

Edmundson's Ipswich contract is due to expire at the end of the season, but Boro are keen to make the switch permanent now to avoid any summer uncertainty and to free up a loan space which would give them some extra freedom later in the transfer window, if required.

Boro's initial offer for Edmundson was turned down earlier this week but Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna has since confirmed that talks between the clubs are ongoing.

Carrick said: "George has done really well. We brought him in on loan. It was one of those where it fitted all parties.

"I've said it a number of times, it's not always simple, there's a lot of parties involved. Sometimes you go in and you know exactly what you're getting out, sometimes it's a little bit in the balance.

"George has done fantastically well for us. He's settled in really well. We're really happy with him."

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Having won promotion to the Premier League in the past, Edmundson's experience can be crucial for Boro. And he's a leader, captaining the side in last week's FA Cup tie against Blackburn.

Carrick said: "I think it's getting the balance right as well, in terms of recruitment and the dynamics of the squad. That's really important.

"Spread of age is one thing, types of experience is something else as well. It's a different thing. It's not always an age thing, it depends what you've gone through and the types of experiences you'd had. We're conscious of that to try and get the balance right moving forward."

Edmundson and Ben Doak are currently the two loanees in Boro's books. With five allowed in a matchday squad, Boro look to be in a sound position on that front. But if goalkeeper Mark Travers was to arrive from Bournemouth on a temporary deal and Edmundson's switch wasn't made permanent, that would only leave two spaces.

And while Boro would prefer to make permanent signings this month, the loan market is an option as they look to potentially replace Emmanuel Latte Lath and Isaiah Jones.