Middlesbrough v Swansea City - Adam Clayton praised for desire to earn new deal

Middlesbrough are among that bracket and have a number of senior players whose deals only run until the end of June, with the club keeping their fingers crossed that they commit for the remainder of 2019-20.

One player who definitely won’t be involved in defender Dani Ayala, who will officially leave the club at the end of his contract in 10 days time.

Manager Jonathan Woodgate remains hopeful that other vastly experienced players such as Jonathan Howson, George Friend and Adam Clayton will stick around on Teesside, with their influence both on and off the pitch likely to be vital in the weeks ahead.

A first note of encouragement is that all of Woodgate’s six remaining players who are coming off contract will be available this weekend when Boro return to action – seeking to post their first league win at the Riverside Stadium since Boxing Day.

Woodgate said: “All of them (will be in contention). That’s 100 per cent. It’s brilliant.

“When I asked the other players – when I asked Clayts what he wanted to do, he said: ‘I’m playing, 100 per cent I am playing. And if I don’t get a contract here I’ll back myself to get a contract somewhere else, I’ll back myself to play well and get a contract here’.

“That’s the type of person that I want. But listen, all different players have different scenarios, different agendas going on so, but the response from Clayts was brilliant.

“He’s been a model pro through all of this, he’s worked really hard and came back in really good shape.”

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