Michael Carrick wouldn't be surprised if Millwall do lodge an official bid to sign Josh Coburn permanently this month, and didn't rule out Middlesbrough selling the striker.

The academy graduate is spending the season on loan at Millwall, but injuries have disrupted his time there and he's managed only two goals in seven appearances. Currently out until next month, the Lions have changed managers since he suffered a broken metatarsal, with Alex Neil replacing Neil Harris in the hotseat.

However, Millwall are still keen to make his loan move a permanent one this month, as first revealed by South London News. As revealed by Teesside Live yesterday, Boro boss Carrick all but confirmed that while Boro aren't actively looking to sell, they will entertain offers, as the head coach didn't rule out a sale this month. It would be viewed as a situation similar to Isaiah Jones's sale earlier this month.

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Carrick said: “I wouldn't be surprised for them to think like that. Josh is a good player. He's been unfortunate with injuries this season. He's had a bit of a stop-start spell. At this stage, I can't really give you any more on that one. That's a decision for us to make if it gets to that. We'll have to wait and see.”

One thing a Coburn sale would help with is Boro's PSR calculations. Whatever fee could be agreed for the 22-year-old would go down as pure profit for the club given he graduated from the academy ranks after joining Boro aged 16, after an earlier spell at Sunderland.

While the biggest help to the incoming business Boro are trying to do this month would be the sale of Emmanuel Latte Lath, amid a huge offer from MLS side Atlanta United, a Coburn sale would add to money received to Isaiah Jones this month as Boro close in on signing Ryan Giles and hope to also add a goalkeeper, midfielder and forward this month. A striker would be added to the list if Latte Lath did leave too.

On work on incoming transfers, Carrick said: “There's certainly work going on from our side of things to try and improve things. I don't really like speaking to any individuals and I won't do that, but there's certainly things we're trying to do and push to improve the group. We'll have to see what comes over the next week or so.”