Middlesbrough have used 26 players in competitive matches already this season, so it is fair to say that finding the best recipe for success has meant that a lot of players have been in and out of favour.
With Michael Carrick attempting to narrow down his best eleven and settle on a winning formula, it will naturally lead to some individuals missing out each week.
Players who now find themselves nudged out of the picture as a consequence of new arrivals or other players who are struggling to make their mark on the first team, may wish to go out and get some sharpness and first team experience elsewhere.
With the January transfer window looming in the not too distant future, we look at three players who may benefit from a loan deal away from the Riverside.
1. Alex Gilbert
Gilbert was Middlesbrough’s first summer signing and generated lots of excitement. He came with a good reputation from Brentford; a club who are an example of what Boro aspire to achieve in terms of their recruitment process.
Alex is best described as a flair player with bags of skill and an eye for goal. He can play right across the attacking forward line and did notch a couple of goals in pre-season, one of which was a penalty.
The issue for Gilbert, is that Boro are very well staffed in the area he is strongest. McGree, Rogers, Crooks and Greenwood can all play similar roles in the ten or on the left and appear to be ahead of him in the pecking order.
The positive, is that Carrick has spoke highly about him regarding his application and his talent, insisting that he trains well and is a ‘big part of the squad’.
If he is not going to feature in games, it will surely make sense to allow him to go out to another club where he can build up his confidence and sample the robust nature of senior football, which will be another step up from the Brentford B level of fixtures he played in last season.
2. Hayden Coulson
Hayden started games in the early part of the season as Boro were still searching for a left-back. It is probably a bit of an unfair barometer to measure him off those performances, because in truth, Boro looked all at sea as a defensive unit.
There is no question regarding his effort and commitment to the cause, but the fact is, the improved version of Engel and the promising cameo from Bangura look to have sealed Coulson’s fate in as far as starting spots go.
Even Rav van den Berg and Lewis O’Brien have featured ahead of him since those opening games, and neither play their normally. With left-footed defender Matt Clarke gradually returning to fitness, it only strengthens the idea that Coulson would benefit from game-time at another club.
He went north of the border last season with Aberdeen, and it would be no surprise to see him head out on loan again in January.
3. Calum Kavanagh
A centre-forward by trade, Calum currently plays for Middlesbrough’s Under 21’s in Premier League 2. His stats are mightily impressive, scoring 18 goals in 24 appearances overall in that division.
Son of former Boro midfielder Graham Kavanagh, the 20-year-old has had loan spells in League Two, with Newport County and Harrogate Town and although he has not got the most prolific return with them, the experience will have been invaluable.
He returned to Boro from his loan spells last season and continued with his excellent record, recording 3 goals and an assist in his four outings so far this term.
He is at a period in his career where he now needs to propel himself even further and show that potential. Whether that is in the form of a loan deal elsewhere, or a promotion to the first team squad, only time will tell.
The sensible option would point to more first team football with another club, but anything is possible, ask Josh Coburn or Hayden Hackney.