Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock has described Jonny Howson as the best midfield player currently playing in the Championship. 

Howson has put any doubt surrounding his future to bed by signing a new contract with Boro, which ties him down for another 18 months and takes him to the end of the 2021/22 season.

The 32-year-old former Leeds United and Norwich City midfielder has featured on 12 occasions for Warnock in the Championship so far, scoring one goal.

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On the back of the experienced mainstay signing on at Boro for at least another season, Warnock moved to praise his player, underlining how he feels there isn't a midfielder anywhere in the Championship playing as well.

“It’s another step in the right direction for the club," Warnock said, as quoted in the Northern Echo. 

"I’d rate Jonny as the best midfield player in the league at the moment. I only see him getting better.”

Howson has been with Boro since the summer of 2017 and has made 152 appearances across all competitions for the Teessiders.

His form this season has helped Boro make an encouraging start to Warnock's first full season in-charge, with Boro eighth in the Championship table and only four points outside the play-off places.

They lost out on Saturday to Howson's former club, Norwich, who moved to the top of the division with their 1-0 win in the North East.

The Verdict

This is quite the claim from Warnock.

Howson is rolling back the years and has been impressive for Boro this season, but it's maybe a bit far to say he's the best midfielder in the league at this moment in time.

However, Warnock's style of management is like this. A quote like this is going to fill Howson with even more confidence and get him maintaining these levels.

If he can do that, he will drive Boro onto a successful season.

Thoughts? Let us know!