Neil Warnock will have full control over Middlesbrough's summer transfer activity, according to former striker Dean Windass.

The 72-year-old is already turning his attention to next season following a run of results that has seen the club fall away from the Championship play-off race.

Warnock penned a one-year contract extension earlier this season which means that he's certain to be leading the side next term and with that he'll be looking to ensure that the Teessiders are ready for a genuine promotion push.

With a number of high-profile players out of contract there could be huge turnaround in Middlesbrough's playing squad - not to mention some big decisions being made as Warnock looks to raise funds for his summer spending.

But assessing the job that the veteran boss has ahead of him, Windass believes that club chairman Steve Gibson will allow the manager to crack on in order to build a team that is capable of going up.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Windass said: “He’s signed a new contract so I think Steve Gibson will back him.

“Neil’s done a great job this season, again, and it doesn’t surprise me one bit that he gets results wherever he goes.

“Is Steve Gibson going to give him money to spend? I think he will do.

“One thing about Neil Warnock is that he’s not scared to ship people out.

“It’s a massive football club and they should be in the Premier League with the fanbase that they’ve got but the problem is that the fans don’t play.

“It’s pleasing that he’s signed a new deal and that tells me everything about Steve Gibson that they’ve sat down and thought ‘we’ve missed out this season but we’ve done well’.

“Neil will ask if he’s going to get some funds and then he’ll get on with it. Steve won’t get involved with it – he never has done – so it’s a good pull for Middlesbrough going into next season.”