KIM Hellberg has stressed that Middlesbrough are treating Tuesday evening's Championship play-off semi-final second leg at Southampton as win or bust - with the EFL yet to decide Saints’ punishment after breaching regulations amid Spygate 2.0.

The governing body charged the south-coast club last Friday after a performance analyst allegedly recorded Boro in training and took pictures of tactics the previous day - ahead of Saturday’s first instalment at the Riverside Stadium, which ended 0-0.

Saints acknowledged the charge.

Ordinarily, they would have 14 days to respond. However, given the nature of the matter, the league has asked an independent disciplinary commission to shorten the response period and hold an earlier hearing.

Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg after the Sky Bet Championship play off semi-final first leg match at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough. Picture: Andy Commins/PA Wire.

placeholder image — Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg after the Sky Bet Championship play off semi-final first leg match at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough. Picture: Andy Commins/PA Wire.

After Leeds United were found guilty of spying on Derby County ahead of a game in 2019, they were fined £200,000 and new rules were introduced, prohibiting clubs from observing training 72 hours prior to a match.

The commission has the power to hand out a variety of sanctions including fines, points deductions, embargoes or even removal from a competition.

Should Southampton’s actions be deemed sufficiently severe, then the latter punishment could potentially be an option.

Some weekend reports claimed that Boro had been approached by fellow Championship clubs harbouring suspicions that their pre-match training sessions may also have been viewed in unauthorised fashion by Southampton.

Key Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney.

On the prospect of Boro’s season possibly not being over even if they lose at St Mary’s, Hellberg said: "I’ve no plans for anything else than trying to win the game on Tuesday; no plans for anything else than that."

Asked what about punishment Southampton should receive, the Swede - who made references to ‘cheating’ in his post-match press conference after Saturday’s game - added: "That's not for me to answer on.

"Again, I've told (people) what I think about it, I think it's crystal clear.

"It's the people (EFL) who make the rules and how they can stand up to the rules, that's what it's about. It's not for me to decide."

While Teesside is naturally desperate for Boro to make it to Wembley this evening, the club can also probably count on having many rival supporters in their corner at St Mary's, given the distasteful events of Spygate 2.0

Hellberg commented: "I don't know, (but) I think it's a lot of people that reach out and like the way we play football.

"It's a brave way of doing it, I think that first half of a play-off game was unbelievable.

"I think there's many that like the way we play, handle ourselves and are honest in our approach and try to be an offensive football team. So I think there's a lot of people that like that."

The Boro chief has confirmed that star turn Hayden Hackney will not be involved in the second leg (8pm).

The Championship player of the year has missed the club’s last nine games after picking up a calf injury in the 1-1 home draw against Bristol City on March 14.

There had been hopes that Hackney could be involved in the tie after he accompanied his team-mates on the coach to the Riverside on Saturday.

Speaking ahead of the tie, Hellberg spoke positively regarding Hackney’s chances of potentially being involved from the bench.

But he has now admitted that he will not be – with the caveat being that he could be ready for possible involvement in the final on Saturday week at Wembley – should Boro be there.

Hellberg said: "He will not be ready for this one, but I think he will be ready for the final (if Boro qualify)."