Tony Pulis has confessed that new players must be brought in before the end of the week if Middlesbrough are to challenge for promotion to the Premier League.

The Smoggies have lost a handful of regulars since suffering defeat in last season's playoff semi-finals, including striker Patrick Bamford and defender Ben Gibson.

Adama Traore was not involved against Millwall on the opening weekend as he closes in on a switch to Wolverhampton Wanderers, meanwhile, and injury ruled out Daniel Ayala and Rudy Gestede at The Den.

Speaking after the late 2-2 draw for his side, Pulis hinted that it could be a busy end to the transfer window for Boro.

"I think we've got to put things in perspective," he told reporters. "If you look at the team that came here today compared to the team that finished the season we're six players down. When you are talking about Gibson, Ayala, Traore, Bamford, [Mohamed] Besic, all top players, so that team was a massive change.

"And we know we have to bring players in, that group is not good enough to get us promoted. It's a smashing group, but it's not good enough to get us promoted. We need to add to the group."

Boro are reportedly close to signing Joe Bryan from Bristol City and Martyn Waghorn from Ipswich Town.