Middlesbrough striker Ashley Fletcher continues to be heavily touted with a loan move to Carrow Road in the transfer window.

The Sun on Sunday report City have emerged as favourites to land the out-of-favour Teessiders' hitman, with Leeds and former club Barnsley also willing to offer him the chance of regular football in the Championship.

City are in the market for a striker and the 22-year-old Fletcher may fit the bill, although he has played little Championship football this season, starting just three matches for Middlesbrough.

New Boro boss Tony Pulis has given him just 11 minutes since he took charge and appears willing to listen to offers for a player who cost Boro a reported £6.5m from West Ham in the summer.

Fletcher has scored twice in 19 appearances for the north-east club but his last appearance came on December 30.

Daniel Farke expects City's top brass to deliver more firepower to bolster his shot-shy squad.

Nelson Oliveira is the only senior striker on the books after Cameron Jerome's sale to Derby but the Portuguese international has now gone seven games without a goal after Saturday's 2-1 Championship defeat to Sheffield United and City remain one of the league's lowest scorers.

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Tottenham loanee Marcus Edwards is the only new addition in this window, but Farke is confident that is about to change.

'It is obvious that in this moment in the offensive positions we are too thin in the squad,' said Farke, after the game. 'I never complained when we sold really important players in the pre-season or in the recent days we have lost several players.

'I will try to get the best out of the squad I have. Even if we would sell a further four players I would still work with these lads but that will not happen.

'But the board made it clear before we are able to sign new players and bring new players in we have to create some space for players. That is what we did and I expect and I am confident we can bring some guys in.

'If it means we have to be patient for the financial situation I will work further on because we have proved with this group of players we can win points.

'You saw us at Bristol and even at Chelsea.

'If it lasts another week I will deal with it but as a coach you always want players to come in as soon as possible.'