MIDDLESBROUGH head coach Aitor Karanka will check on the progress of injured duo Rhys Williams and Mustapha Carayol before deciding whether to dip into the January transfer market.

Williams returned to action for the first time since January when he played over an hour of Boro Under-21s’ 0-0 draw with Aston Villa last Monday following a serious Achilles problem.

Carayol is some way behind the Australian and isn’t expected to resume training until the New Year after he suffered a serious knee injury in the 0-0 draw with Bournemouth in March.

Given the severity of both injuries, Karanka does not want to rush the pair back and risk suffering recurrences, and the Boro boss revealed he will wait to see their progress before weighing up whether to bring in new players in the transfer window.

“I will see how Rhys Williams and Muzzy Carayol are before I make a decision, because they can both be very important players for us in the future,” Karanka said.

“I prefer to check on them first before I look at alternatives.”

Karanka has still not revealed whether he will attempt to prolong both Milos Veljkovic and Jamal Blackman’s time at the club with their respective loan deals due to expire at the beginning of next month.

If the Spaniard opts to send the pair back to parent clubs Tottenham and Chelsea there will be two spaces in his squad that need to be filled, but the Boro boss isn’t anticipating a busy month on the transfer front.

He said: “I know what I want to do, but I haven’t spoken to the players and I need to speak with them.

“I am very happy with both of them. Jamal has been unlucky, because he’s had a few injuries. I am very pleased with Milos. I felt he was the best player on the pitch in the last game.

“He went onto the pitch at a difficult time and he showed everyone he is a mature player even though he is only 19-years-old.

“It was a headache last season because it was my first transfer window in my first job. I was crazy, but this season is different because I know the league and my squad.

“We don’t need a lot of players to strengthen the squad because we have a very good squad. This season is going to be more comfortable for me.

“It is important I hold onto the players I have because they are all in winning positions on the pitch and on the bench. I am very pleased with all of them.

“I will say now if we can go eight games unbeaten I will be happy. It is not a coincident. We have to work to achieve this."