MICHAEL Carrick admits January exits are "possible" with Middlesbrough in need of freeing up space in their squad if they're to make any signings in the winter window.

Carrick is pleased with the current make-up and balance of his Boro squad but admitted the Championship promotion chasers will look to strengthen if the opportunity presents itself.

But Boro's squad is currently at maximum capacity, meaning only players under the age of 21 arriving on permanent deals would be able to play without being registered.

Any loan signings or permanent arrivals over the age of 21 would have to be registered, meaning space would need to be created.

Asked whether Boro will therefore be trading in January, Carrick said: "Possibly. There's a lot of ifs and buts. As much as we're clear in our own mind with how we want it to look, we're pretty stable and calm."

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Carrick has often talked about the need to be flexible in transfer windows.

Injuries can change plans. Boro didn't, for example, head into the summer window with the capture of a left-back as a priority but Alex Bangura's Achilles injury forced them into a rethink.

Boro are currently waiting to discover the severity of the knee injury Luke Ayling suffered in the weekend win over Millwall.

Boro are also assessing George Edmundson's situation, with the defender, who has been a key player since his loan arrival from Ipswich, set to enter the final months of his contract at Portman Road.

There are also remains a strong desire to keep hold of star players but Boro could again be tested, with Emmanuel Latte Lath speculation having increased in recent weeks and the striker's agent claiming "something could happen" in January.

Carrick and Boro's bosses and recruitment team are well prepared for what the window could bring.

The head coach said: "There's normally a little something here and there that changes and we're ready to adapt to that but we'll stick to the plan as much as possible.

"The main thing is we're pretty calm and we're in a good place as a group and squad. If things come along we'll deal with and we can come out better then it's something we'll obviously look to do."