Middlesbrough will be hoping to round off 2020 with three consecutive victories when they travel to relegation-threatened Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow.

Neil Warnock's side have beaten Millwall and Luton in recent weeks, but weren't in action on Boxing Day after their clash with Rotherham United was postponed due to COVID-19 cases.

But Boro return to action at Hillsborough, hoping to sign off an encouraging end to the year with another three points.

And speaking ahead of the game, Warnock confirmed that midfielder Jonny Howson is in contention to return to action when Middlesbrough travel to Brentford in the FA Cup third-round next month.

Howson suffered a hamstring problem during Boro's defeat at Preston North End earlier this month and hasn't featured in their previous two matches, whilst he's expected to be ruled out for the whole of the festive period.

But Warnock is hopeful the midfielder will be available for selection early next month. He told the Gazette Live: "Jonny is busting a gut. "The physios are holding him back, I wouldn't be surprised to see him available maybe for the cup game (at Brentford)."

 

Quiz: Did these 20 things happen to Middlesbrough in 2020?

 

 

The Verdict

This is a major boost for Middlesbrough.

Whilst they've performed well and ultimately won both of their matches without Howson in the side, he remains key in Warnock's side and is going to be needed moving forward.

Howson might miss all of Boro's festive period, but an FA Cup game would appear an ideal fixture for him to prove his fitness levels, especially with games continuing to come thick and fast during the second-half of the season.