Ex-West Ham and Norwich striker delivers verdict on Britt Assombalonga miss, FA Cup draw details plus former Middlesbrough man takes temporary charge of Sunderland

We round up some of the latest Boro-related news stories as Neil Warnock’s side prepare for Wednesday’s meeting with Swansea:

Former striker on Assombalonga miss

Boro paid the price for not taking their chances at Huddersfield, with captain Britt Assombalonga squandering the best opportunity of the match.

With the game still goalless, the Boro forward was set up by Marvin Johnson’s low cross but scooped the ball over the crossbar from just a couple of yards out.

The chance was assessed on the EFL’s highlights show on Quest, when former West Ham and Norwich striker Dean Ashton was a studio guest.

“You can’t miss these,” said Ashton. “I’m sorry but the money they paid for him as a striker, the quality he’s got, you can’t miss that opportunity.

“You saw the manager Neil Warnock, he was vexed at even the thought of him missing that opportunity.

“It makes such a difference in a game of that magnitude.”

FA Cup draw details

Boro will discover their FA Cup third-round opponents later today.

The draw will take place at around 7.10pm on the Emirates FA Cup's Youtube, Facebook and Twitter platforms.

It will also be shown on BT Sport ahead of a televised second-round fixture between Canvey Island and Boreham Wood.

Boro will be represented by ball number 25, with third-round matches set to take place on the weekend commencing January 9.

That falls after the Teessiders’ trip to Wycombe on Saturday, January 2 and before a home game against Birmingham on Saturday, January 16.

Ex-Boro defender takes temporary charge of Sunderland

Finally, former Middlesbrough defender Andrew Taylor will take temporary charge of Sunderland following the sacking of Phil Parkinson on Sunday evening.

The 34-year-old joined the Black Cats’ coaching staff last year following Parkinson’s arrival on Wearside.

Taylor will now take charge of Sunderland for Tuesday’s League One fixture against Burton at the Stadium of Light.

A club statement read ‘the board will now begin the search for a new manager.’

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