Middlesbrough will have decisions to make over a number of players come the end of this season.
As is the case in any summer transfer window, there will be a need for ‘Boro to strengthen the squad available to Michael Carrick.
That of course, means other individuals may have to move on, to make room for those who might arrive at The Riverside Stadium.
While there are still nine games of the regular season to be played, that may mean that in some cases, certain individuals have already played their last game for the club, for different reasons.
So with that in mind, we’ve taken a look at some of the players who we might not see in a Middlesbrough shirt again, right here.
Tommy Smith is out for the season
Following his departure from Stoke City, Tommy Smith joined ‘Boro in the summer of 2022, and was a regular feature during his first season at The Riverside.
However, he was ruled out for the whole of this campaign back in October due to an ankle injury. Speaking at the time, Carrick suggested the right-back could still be ‘huge’ player for the club behind the scenes.
Even so, he will be 32 by the start of next season, and may find it tough to get back up to match sharpness after so long out. As a result, Middlesbrough may deem this summer the right time to move him on, when he enters the final year of his contract, so they may be able to generate a fee for him. Indeed, with Leeds United loanee Luke Ayling – who is out of contract at his parent club in the summer – also starting to impress now, ‘Boro may feel they have alternative options for that right-back role as well.
Liam Roberts may be keen to leave Middlesbrough
Goalkeeper Liam Roberts is another who joined Middlesbrough in the summer of 2022. But having found game time hard to come by last season, he was allowed to join Barnsley on loan for the current campaign.
The 29-year-old is seemingly enjoying his time at Oakwell. Speaking recently, he admitted he hopes his time with the Tykes will not be over when his loan spell expires in the summer.
Roberts is set to be out of contract at the end of the season. ‘Boro meanwhile, have two established senior ‘keepers on long-term deals in Seny Dieng and Tom Glover. As a result, it may be a surprise if Roberts is given a new deal, meaning he may have already made the last of his five appearances for the club.
Jamie Jones is down the pecking order The Riverside
Along with Dieng and Glover, another goalkeeper who was brought to Middlesbrough last summer, was Jamie Jones.
The 35-year-old joined on a free transfer from Wigan Athletic. Since then however, he is yet to make a single appearance for the club in any competition.
As things stand, he is only contracted to the club until the end of this season. As a result, his lack of game time with other options evidently preferred between the posts, mean it may be no huge surprise if he departs in the summer, without making a competitive appearance for Middlesbrough.