Aitor Karanka today refused to be drawn on whether Boro are trying to sign Jordan Rhodes.
The club are understood to be working on a loan deal for the 25-year-old Blackburn Rovers striker with a view to a long-term transfer in the summer.
But Karanka wasn’t prepared to drop any hints with regard to the proposed transfer at his pre-match press conference at Rockliffe Park.
Asked if he could confirm Boro’s approach, he said: “I don’t need to speak about speculation because we have a lot of games in front of us that are very important.
“Jordan Rhodes is not our player so I prefer to speak about our players.”
He was then asked if Rhodes was available, would he be interested.
“If, if, if ,” he responded, before adding: “I prefer to speak about the present and at the present I have an amazing squad and all of them are amazing players and all of them are amazing lads.
“We could bring in Ronaldo and Messi,” he joked, "(that) could be good for everybody.
Action Images / John Marsh 
“But I have my squad, I am very happy with all of them and we are working to win the game on Saturday.”
This lunchtime, Rovers boss Gary Bowyer claimed the club's owners, Venky's, support his stance that Rhodes will not be leaving Ewood Park.
"They (Venky's) are of the same opinion as ourselves – why would we want to be doing that?", Bowyer said.
Meanwhile, Karanka has relished having a full week to prepare for the Ipswich game.
The defeat at Nottingham Forest last weekend was Boro’s ninth fixture in 29 days but the lack of a midweek match this week has given the head coach time to work with his players on the training ground ahead of crucial matches against Ipswich, Derby and Bournemouth.
“We needed to have a week like we have had this week because we have played nine games in a month and it is very difficult,” he said.
“I made a lot of changes (from match-to-match) but mentally it is very difficult for everybody and now we are much better.
“We have been able to train all week and the atmosphere is very good. Now we have three important games starting on Saturday.”
Karanka hopes to have Dani Ayala available for Saturday’s game but the club’s medical staff will make the final call on the defender’s readiness.
Ryan Fredericks (hamstring) won’t be involved but Mustapha Carayol could well be in the squad.
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