Five Middlesbrough prospects who could leave on loan in the January transfer window as Neil Warnock assesses options

Boro boss Neil Warnock has been hugely impressed with the club’s academy and has handed out a number of first-team debuts this season.

We take a closer look at some of the players who could be allowed to leave the Riverside on loan before the end of January.

Nathan Wood

The centre-back impressed on his first league start for Boro against Nottingham Forest in October, when he provided cover for the absent Dael Fry.

Warnock would like to allow Wood, 18, to leave on loan to aid the defender’s development but doesn’t want to leave his side short at the back.

If Grant Hall’s recovery goes well, the Teessiders will have cover for Paddy McNair and Fry so may be able to let Wood leave.

Boro will also be assessing their options in the transfer market to see if they can bring in another defender on loan.

Stephen Walker

With Ashley Fletcher set to return, as well as Britt Assombalonga and Chuba Akpom competing for a starting place upfront, Walker is unlikely to receive a first-team opportunity this campaign.

Warnock was aware the 20-year-old wasn’t a regular starter at League One side MK Dons so Boro recalled the forward earlier this month.

The plan is to loan Walker out to a League One or promotion-chasing League Two club after he helped Crewe win promotion from the latter last season.

Sam Folarin

Warnock was impressed with the winger after taking him on Boro’s pre-season trip to Cornwall in August.

The 20-year-old has since made four senior appearances for the Teessiders and scored in the FA Cup game at Brentford.

Folarin’s pace and energy have caught the eye at Rockliffe but the winger is still raw, as Warnock pointed out after the game at the Brentford Community Stadium.

Folarin knows what it’s like to play in the lower leagues as he was signed from non-league club Tooting & Mitcham, yet a loan move to an EFL club looks like the best move for him.

Hayden Hackney

Another player who received an opportunity at Brentford and has been praised by Warnock.

Hackney, 18, earned his first senior start in the FA Cup tie and didn’t look out of place in midfield, showing excellent composure in possession and a willingness to pass the ball forward.

With Jonny Howson, George Saville, Sam Morsy and Lewis Wing all available in the centre of midfield, Hackney is unlikely to be used regularly at Boro before the end of the season – even if he was on the bench for the side’s win at Nottingham Forest.

The teenager has shown he has the attributes to play at high level and could make a difference at an EFL club.

Isaiah Jones

Like Folarin, Boro signed Jones from non-league club Tooting & Mitcham in 2019.

The 21-year-old impressed for the Teessiders’ under-23 side last season which has earned him a first-team call up this term.

Jones was loaned out to St Johnstone last season but hardly featured for the SPL side.

Boro will therefore want to loan the winger to a club where he’ll play regularly.

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