Boro midfielder closing in on new deal

Middlesbrough manager Jonathan Woodgate has hinted that midfielder Jonny Howson is closing in on a new contract.

The 31-year-old is out of contract in the summer and there had been some concerns within the club about his future.

Howson has been the utility player for Boro this season playing as a winger, right-back and in recent weeks as a defender. He is seen as one of the players that Woodgate would love to keep in the first team.

Speaking to the Northern Echo, Woodgate revealed that Howson will be at the club beyond the end of his existing deal.

"Jonny will be here at the end of the season. He'll be here next season, that's all I will say."

Howson is a fan favourite with many impressed with how he filled in defence following spate of injuries in December.

The former Leeds United player has begun talks and should sign a deal in the coming days.

Boro have been in talks with several first team players whose future hangs in the balance. The likes of Daniel Ayala, George Friend, Adam Clayton, Ryan Shotton, Rudy Gestede and Marvin Johnson all have contracts that are expiring in the summer.

Young right-back Djed Spence is the latest to sign a new a new deal, with the Boro hierarchy keen on keeping important first team players.

Boro are 18th in the Championship, seven points above the relegation places.