Middlesbrough boss Jonathan Woodgate has been handed a huge fitness boost with two of his senior players having returned to training. George Friend is expected to join in with the rest of the squad whilst Ryan Shotton is also closing in on a return.
Neither of the pair will be available for selection for the first-team immediately but their return to training is at the very least a step in the right direction. When speaking last week, Woodgate predicted the pair would need “two or three weeks” to get up to speed and during that time they are likely to be given some game time with the club’s Under-23s.
Should the club offer George Friend a contract extension?
Yes
No
Friend has made just two appearances this season and suffered yet another setback when he tried to return in November. The left-back underwent a minor procedure (as per Teesside Live) and will need to be eased back in slowly with caution.
As for Shotton, he took part in Boro’s first thirteen games of the season but suffered a knee injury at Huddersfield Town in October.
Both players are out of contract in the summer (as per Transfermarkt.co.uk) and so the injury lay-off’s have been far from ideal as they look to prove their worth either at the Riverside or to any potential suitors.
Shotton has made 76 appearances for the club to date whereas Friend has played an incredible 287 times for the Teessiders.
Middlesbrough’s injury troubles this season have been well documented and whilst the longer-term futures of the pair remain uncertain both Woodgate and the fans will be pleased to see two of their most-experienced defenders working their way back to fitness.