New wideman set to wing in if Downing leaves

GARRY Monk is keen to bring in a winger before the deadline as Stewart Downing’s departure to Birmingham City looks increasing likely. If Downing leaves, then Monk’s squad will be c o n s p i c u o u s l y short of wide players. In fact, the only other orthodox winger in the Boro dressing room is Adama Traore, who has not been a regular player in Monk’s plans.

Traore can still be effective in the Championship. He has the pace to go past defenders but still needs to work on his crosses and passes into attacking areas.

Monk does have other options within the squad.

He can utilise Patrick Bamford, Martin Braithwaite and Ashley Fletcher in wide roles.

Bamford and Fletcher, though, are essentially strikers while Braithwaite is arguably most effective playing as a No.10.

Bamford provides the bonus for Monk because he has shown the manager he can operate in any one of three attacking positions.

The manager is already well aware of Bamford’s adaptability, having used him as a striker, a winger and a No.10 this season.

This is a major feather in his cap for Bamford, whose stop-start career over the last few years looks set to take off again.

In fact, while Monk may not have known too much about Bamford before he took over the Boro reins, he will be delighted to have him around.

Even more so while Braithwaite, who is expected to be Boro’s regular No.10, battles to recover from a hamstring injury.

At the same time it is obvious Monk needs to add an experienced winger to the squad and probably one who can play on the left flank.