The 37-year-old suffered a major blow last week when it was revealed that goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer could be out for up to three weeks with a broken thumb.

Perhaps more worryingly, striker Mido will not play again until well into the new year because of a persistent groin problem.

Southgate was at least able to take some solace from Saturday's late fightback at Reading, in which Turkey striker Tuncay Sanli claimed his first goal for the club to snatch a point.

The draw at the Madejski Stadium could not, however, prevent the Teessiders from slipping into the bottom three, and they entertain leaders Arsenal on Sunday having not won in 10 league outings.

Former England defender Southgate knows Boro's league position could have an impact on what he is able to do during the winter transfer window, but he will not be diverted from his long-term mission by short-term needs.

He said: "It hasn't changed our thinking because I know where the squad needs strengthening, which areas.

"I do not really think the position we are in now changes too much.

"It is always difficult to attract players in January to any club because the availability of the ones you want is not always clear.

"We always deal in players who are not going to the top four or five, some just want to go to London, so we are always up against it in those respects.

"But we have certain targets we will look towards. We know the positions we want and we want to attract players who are hungry to come and play for this club.

"If we can play well over the next few weeks and make our league position a bit healthier, it will be a more attractive proposition for people."

Boro's problems are plain to see - they have scored just six goals in their last 10 league games and conceded 21.

In addition, their senior frontmen - Mido, Jeremie Aliadiere and Tuncay - have managed only four between them, with youngster Ben Hutchinson opening his account with a consolation strike in the 3-1 defeat at Manchester City on October 7.

The more experienced trio all arrived at the Riverside Stadium during the summer as Mark Viduka and Ayegbeni Yakubu headed through the exit door, and they have needed time to bed in.

Tuncay in particular has found the transition difficult, and Southgate hopes the former Fenerbahce man's maiden strike - in his 13th appearance for the club - is evidence that he is coming to terms with the Barclays Premier League.

He said: "In Turkey, probably his best positions have been coming in from wide areas in either a front three or a midfield four.

"We have been using him more as a second striker in recent weeks, which he can do, but obviously before he has done it in a different league in different styles.

"He has got to adapt to the league and it is going to take time.

"He was the king of Fenerbahce and to come here and not hit the ground straight away scoring, it has been a knock back for him.

"But we have got to work with him. He has to keep working hard and things will turn because he has got quality."