Middlesbrough failed to win promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking and are now preparing for another year in the Sky Bet Championship.  

It was Boro’s aim at the start of last season to make their Championship return a brief one, but Tony Pulis’ side missed out in the play-offs, after an impressive run during the second-half of the season put them in contention.

Aston Villa beat Middlesbrough 1-0 on aggregate in the play-off semi-final, with Pulis’ attention likely to have already turned to the summer and 2018/19 campaign.

Pulis will once again be looking to put his own twist on the squad at the Riverside Stadium, with arrivals and departures expected ahead of next season.

Here at FLW, we take a look at THREE players who could potentially be axed this summer if they fail to impress Pulis over the course of pre-season…

Fletcher’s move to Middlesbrough has been really difficult, with Pulis opting to send the striker out on-loan to Sunderland in January.

A move to the Stadium of Light didn’t exactly work out and it remains to be seen if Fletcher features in Pulis’ plans.

The young striker needs to hit the ground running in the summer.

Clayton was surprisingly underused last season.

Many expected the ex-Leeds and Huddersfield midfielder to be a regular, but he struggled to hold down a starting berth.

He needs to be proving his worth to Pulis over the course of the summer.

Friend is a player that divides opinion at the Riverside Stadium.

The left-back featured regularly last season, but wasn’t as consistent as others.

Friend needs to prove to Pulis that he is good enough to start next season as Boro’s first choice at left-back.