MIDDLESBROUGH will weigh up their options before they make a final decision on whether to replace Matt Clarke ahead of next week's transfer deadline after the defender completed his move to Derby County.

Clarke has initially joined the Rams on a deal until the end of the season, when his Boro contract expires. Derby say they came to an "undisclosed agreement" with Boro.

Clarke made it known to Boro that was keen to move this month in search of regular football after falling down the pecking order at the Riverside. The fit-again Rav van den Berg and Dael Fry are the starting pair at the minute and after George Edmundson's return, Clarke was fourth choice. His exit also creates a further space in the squad.

"I was sort of in a situation where I was in and around the squad but not playing as many minutes as I'd like so I was looking to get out and get some game-time," admitted Clarke in his first interview as a Derby player.

"It takes a bit of time going backwards and forwards to get the deal done and it can feel like forever but it all got done and I'm happy to be here.

"As soon as I heard it was a possibility, I was over the moon."

Boro are assessing their options and the market as they consider whether Clarke needs replacing, but the immediate priority is to strengthen in goal and in midfield.

Mark Travers remains Boro's leading goalkeeper target, with Bournemouth expected to give a final answer in the next couple of days on whether they'll allow the 25-year-old to leave on loan. The deal was delayed until third choice keeper Will Dennis resumed training after an injury.

Tom Glover is Boro's only senior goalkeeper after both Sol Brynn and Seny Dieng suffered long-term injuries.

RECOMMENDED READING:

• The transfer opportunity Michael Carrick says Boro 'have to look out for' in window

• 'Boro have backed Michael Carrick - now, it's time for head coach to deliver'

Boro are also looking to tweak their midfield, with Dan Barlaser increasingly likely to leave ahead of Monday's deadline. Derby are also interested in Barlaser, with boss Paul Warne having previously managed the 28-year-old at Rotherham.

Glen Kamara is one Boro target and discussions with his club Rennes are ongoing, but the former Leeds man isn't the only player in Boro's thinking.

Boro have also lined up potential centre-forward targets, including David Strelec, but will only act if Emmanuel Latte Lath leaves.

Clarke leaves having made 44 league appearances for Boro. He was sidelined with a back injury that kept him out of action for more than a year but returned at the end of 2023 and played a starring role in the second half of last season.

He joins Derby for a third time on the back of two previous loan spells with the Rams earlier in his career.

He's delighted to be back and insists he's not concerned about the threat of relegation, despite the fact Derby have fallen into the bottom three.

He said "It's a good place to play football, the people are good.

"I get the impression it's in a better place than when I last left. Hopefully I can help the team and club.

"The nature of the league, there's such a long place to go. You want to go on a run and pick up some momentum and it can soon look very different, that's not something that worries me too much."