Middlesbrough head coach Jonathan Woodgate says Jonny Howson could play at right-back in the Championship this season.

The 31-year-old is normally a midfielder, but played at right-back in the recent pre-season friendlies against Gateshead and Hartlepool United.

Howson has been a key player for Middlesbrough over the past couple of seasons and scored one goal in 46 Championship appearances last season, as Boro just missed out on the play-offs.

Woodgate has been impressed with the midfielder during pre-season and admitted that he could decide to play him at right-back again in the future.

“Jonny can play right-back, he can play eight, he can play ten, he can play wide right. For me at the minute, he’s doing a job for me at right-back and I think he’s going to be very good for us,” said Woodgate, as quoted by the Hartlepool Mail.

When asked if Howson could play at right-back for Middlesbrough in the Championship this season, Woodgate said: “He’s got a chance.”

Woodgate was appointed as the new head coach at the Riverside Stadium last month, after the club decided not to renew Tony Pulis' contract, after he failed to guide the club to promotion from the Championship last season.

Middlesbrough finished seventh in the Championship table, one point outside of the play-off places, despite spending most of the season inside the top six.

Woodgate has no previous experience as a manager at senior level, but impressed as a first-team coach under Pulis last season.

The former defender will take charge of his first competitive game as manager when Middlesbrough face Luton Town in the Championship on the opening day of the 2019/20 season.

The Verdict

Howson is normally a midfielder but he seems to have impressed Woodgate with his performances at right-back in pre-season.

He's been an important player for Middlesbrough over the past couple of seasons and has got plenty of experience in the Championship. I expect him to play another important role this season, be that at right-back or in his usual midfield role.

Middlesbrough fans had grown tired of Pulis' defensive style of football, but it seems as though Woodgate is not afraid to mix things up and could go with a change of approach for the coming season.