Middlesbrough v Blackburn Rovers - Why Neil Warnock rates Boro’s Jonny Howson so highly

A model professional in his time with hometown club Leeds United and similarly respected at Norwich City for his sterling service with the Canaries, Howson has also won the hearts and minds of everyone at Middlesbrough, including Warnock.

As with many key and underrated players, Boro had perhaps not realised how pivotal Howson was until they have had to go without him – as they did for much of December and the start of the New Year when he was sidelined with a hamstring problem.

Now the 32-year-old is back on deck and despite his seniority, Warnock believes that Howson will get even better in future.

On Howson, who was outstanding in the midweek victory at Nottingham Forest, the Boro manager said: “I just think Jonny has every attribute that you need at the top level.

“I did not think he was this good before I came here, if I am honest.

“Last season, I thought he was a good player. but didn’t think how good he could be. I think the best is yet to come from him and that is the worrying thing for other teams as I think he can get better.

“I think he has got that niche now and knows where he is playing. He is not playing all over the shop at full-back, centre-half and all that and he is playing to his strengths.

“You tend to forget what injured players have got. We had a good run when he got injured. But it catches up and then you cannot wait to get him back. When you have got him in your team, you realise why you miss him.”

While Howson’s long-term future at Boro is assured, the situation with another player who also joined the club in the summer of 2017 in Britt Assombalonga is more uncertain after this season.

Warnock has warned the striker that he will have to take a hefty pay cut if he is to sign a new deal, with the days of the club paying big-money wages – as they did when they signed Assombalonga thanks to Premier League parachute payments – being over.

Warnock added: “I can guarantee 100 per cent he will have to take a pay cut if he stays. There’s absolutely no question about that. You cannot blame him or his agent for negotiating what his contract is, but those days are gone now in the Championship.”

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