Michael Carrick is excited for the future at Middlesbrough after sealing three key January transfer window signings in the last few days - and hinted there could yet be more activity before deadline day.

While the joy at clinching the signings of Ryan Giles, Morgan Whittaker and a permanent deal for George Edmundson was somewhat tempered by Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Preston, the Boro boss remains confident that he is building a squad which can deliver on the club's ambitions.

Giles made his latest Boro debut as a second-half substitute at Deepdale, while Whittaker could be in line to feature against Sunderland a week on Monday after sealing a move from Plymouth Argyle, despite interest from promotion rivals Burnley. It made for a positive few days for Carrick, even with the Preston result.

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

"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."

Boro beat off strong competition to seal a deal for Whittaker, which has added to the excitement on Teesside, even if they were dealt a reality check at Deepdale.

"We’ve got that naturally," Carrick said of the Whittaker move. "I think there is that and there’s no getting away from that, from game to game or certain games, it’s the up and down of disappointment and happiness.

"But it doesn’t change what we feel is possible, I think the way we played the game, you can see that, the belief, confidence. That isn’t something you can turn on, we’ll prepare this week, we’ll talk about what we need to do better but there’s certainly encouragement going forward into these games."

The window will close at 11pm on Monday, February 3 - shortly after the final whistle blows at the Riverside following their Tees-Wear clash with Sunderland. Carrick acknowledged it was important the club were able to strengthen the squad this month, and while he didn't rule out any more business, admitted he was excited at what the future holds.

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