By james art 
The Middlesbrough head coach previously suggested a move for Gilbert was unlikely, but Whittaker’s arrival adds further competition at the front end of the pitch.
The new signing is primarily signed to play on the right wing long-term, but Liverpool loanee Ben Doak currently holds that position. Whittaker is versatile and is likely to be used in a variety of frontline roles in the second half of the season, which could make game time even more difficult for Gilbert, who has only played 70 minutes in the Championship so far this season.
Gilbert was a minor figure last season but took his chances and impressed towards the end of the campaign, leading to Boro refusing to take the former Brentford man on loan in the summer.
But his progress was halted by a knee injury in September that sidelined him for two months and he has since had to make do with cameos from the bench.
RECOMMENDED READING:
After scoring the dramatic late winner at Hull on New Year’s Day, Gilbert admitted his lack of football had been “difficult” to deal with but spoke of his “love” for Boro.
But Finn Azaz is Carrick’s first-choice number 10 and Whittaker will be hoping to play a key role in the second half of the season.
Asked if the addition of the Plymouth striker could potentially mean a loan move for Gilbert, Carrick said: “This week is what it is. A number of things have to be decided. We’ll have to wait and see.”
One striker has already gone out on loan this month, with Micah Hamilton set to link up with Stockport until the end of the season. He made his debut from the bench for the promotion chasers in League One in the 2-0 win over Crawley on Saturday.
Carrick said: “It was just to give him a good run of games. He could stay here and at one stage we looked at it and being here and being around him.
“But then things change a little bit and we thought it would be best for him to go and play and do really well and hopefully come back stronger for us at the end of the season.”
Should Boro decide to loan Gilbert this month, they would not be short of players, with several clubs monitoring the striker’s situation. Swansea City were linked earlier in the window.
Another Boro player who is said to be attracting interest from elsewhere is Matt Clarke, who has been linked with a return to former club Derby County.
Clarke’s last start came in the Championship defeat at Leeds in December and since then he has made just one appearance from the bench.
Carrick said: “It’s hard to say with individuals at this stage of the season. There’s a little bit to go through this week, a couple of guys that we have to think about what’s best for us and them and work it out. You’ll see how it goes.”