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Rob Edwards has made an outstanding start to his time in charge of Middlesbrough.
Five wins and a draw from their first six matches not only put Boro top of the embryonic league table, they also earned the 42-year-old the first Manager of the Month award of the campaign. If that wasn't enough to engender excitement at The Riverside, the arrival of £6.5million signing David Strelec - and his first goal for the club in his home debut - and Kaly Sene mean Boro have much room for improvement.
Edwards has so far gone for a relatively settled XI, with eight players starting the first five games and the last gasp draw at Deepdale feeling very much like a win. However, even though the real actiion has started now the transfer window is shut, Boro will be considering some housekeeping and which players are in the final year of their contracts.
By January overseas clubs will be able to open talks with players whose deals are running down, so we've looked at the calls that remain to be made. Two of the three loan players will likely return to their parent clubs - but Matty Targett will be a free agent when his Newcastle deal expires next June.
Clearly a huge variable on these decisions will be which division Boro are in - even if it is very early to be thinking about the Premier League.
Sverre Nypan (loan)
Man City beat massive competition to sign the Norwegian starlet to a five-year contract. There won't be any decisions for Boro to make on this one - unless they secure promotion and could tempt him back as a top flight club.
Alan Browne (loan)
The veteran has come for the season from Wearside, whom he helped to promotion last season. So far he's made two cameo appearances from the bench - but he's made different, but equally important, contributions in both.
He still has two years left on his deal at the Stadium of Light and what happens next summer will depend on the football pyramid. Does his current club go up? Does his parent club stay up? Do they swap leagues? Are they in the same division?
Matty Targett (loan)
Boro have some thinking to do about the left back, or wing back. He will be out of contract at on Tyneside next summer and in theory eligible to talk to foreign clubs in just over three months.
Targett might not be Max Arfsten nor Charlie Taylor but he's an experienced operator who offers versatility - as he proved against West Brom. A goal and an assist have been a welcome surprise too - Boro could be tempted to steal a march on other suitors.
Dael Fry
Last signed a contract in July 2023 - which has less than 12 months to run. At least Boro aren't faced with a heart over head scenario, the defender has been captain in the first four game and at 28-years-old has miles left in the tank.
Edwards clearly holds him in high regard. Regular calf injuries don't help the decision-making process but he's already shown in the first month that he's someone Boro should be interested in retaining. Another variable is the fact Adilson Malanda is set to arrive permanently in January.
Darragh Lenihan
The defender signed a four-year deal when he joined from Blackburn in 2022. He replaced Fry at Preston last weekend but it was his first competitive start for nearly two years after a nightmare run with injuries. He was concerningly absent against West Brom.
Edwards has been very vocal in his admiration for the 31-year-old. "He's someone who's going to be really important to us, so if we can keep him fit and available it'll be big for us. I think everyone knows and recognises what he can bring at this level."
The Irishman's fitness and Boro's league status next season will be key factors in the decision-making process.
Sammy Silvera
The Australian international signed a three-year deal in 2023 and after playing 42 times in his first season, spent last term with Portsmouth and Blackpool. However, so far this season Silvera has surprised everyone at left wing-back, although the arrival of Targett on loan - after pursuit of other targets also speaks to his status at the Riverside.
Edwards remains positive, though: "He remains an option for us there because he's done so well. I've mentioned plenty how important it is to me to have players who can play two or three different positions."
Luke Ayling
Callum Brittain's arrival from Blackburn seemingly spelled the end for Ayling - but Edwards has had other ideas and uses the 34-year-old on the right of his back three. Indeed, the former Leeds man is one of only three players to have played every minute of the first six games. However, whichever division Boro are in next summer, age is going to count against the versatile defender.
Sonny Finch
The 20-year-old has come through the youth set-up and while his contract is up next summer, Boro do have an option. He is currently playing for the Under-21s and is a regular goal-scorer.
Who is top priority to retain? Have your say here