Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock has revealed that forward Britt Assombalonga missed out on Boro’s 2-0 win at home to Preston North End Tuesday due to having a problem with his hamstring.

Warnock’s side managed to keep their top-six hopes alive by securing a comfortable win against Preston after their opponents were reduced to ten men in the 36th minute of the game. However, Assombalonga was a notable absentee from the squad and it is not the first time in the last few weeks that he has for one reason or another missed out.

The 28-year-old missed out recently on Middlesbrough’s trip to Swansea City, but Warnock had revealed that absence was down to him having an illness. It has not been a good last few months for the forward, who has also recently seen himself lose the captaincy with Jonny Howson taking over that role until the end of the campaign.

Speaking to the media after Boro’s win against Preston, Warnock revealed that Assombalonga’s absence was due to him have a tight hamstring and that he made the decision not to risk his involvement. However, he did say that the forward should be able to make a return to training on Thursday or Friday.

He said: "He felt his hamstring yesterday which was tight and the physio said he didn't think it was worth it.

“He said to me tonight that he thought he’d be training on Thursday or Friday.”

The verdict

It has been a very tough period for Assombalonga with the forward seemingly set for the exit door in the summer when his current deal expires at Middlesbrough. He has been unable to make much of an impact in recent matches after missing the game at Swansea and then coming off the bench for just the final 13 minutes of the 3-0 win against Stoke City on Saturday.

The forward though from this update should be back in contention to feature again in the squad for the game away against Millwall on Saturday. That would be a major boost for Warnock who will be needing to have options off the bench to change things up. Although Ashley Fletcher has now made his return to action after a spell on the side lines.

Assombalonga will hope he can return to action in the coming days and then try and regain a starting place in the side. He might still have work to do to put himself in the shop window for in case he does leave the club on a free transfer at the end of the campaign.