Huge blow as Middlesbrough defender won't play in relegation run-in amid Leeds United interest

The Championship returns this weekend, Boro host Swansea City at the Riverside on Saturday lunchtime in a 12.30pm KO, with their status in the second tier hanging by a thread, Boro just two points above the drop zone.

Ayala returned to training three weeks ago but won’t be signing a new deal to stay at the Riverside, the centre-back is out of contract on June 30.

Clubs have the option of offering out-of-contract players short-term deals in order to cover them for the remainder of the season.

But players retain the right to turn these offers down and Teesside Live report Ayala will not play for the club when the Championship resumes.

The long-serving Spanish defender hasn’t featured since January 1 with an ankle injury but is fit again.

Speaking earlier in the season, Ayala said: “When I first came here I was one of the younger players and there were a lot of older, experienced players around me. Now it is the other way and now it is my job to help and guide the younger players.

“It is a responsibility on my shoulders but I think that is what I always wanted. I always wanted to be a captain,” said the Spaniard who came through the academy at Liverpool before joining Boro from Norwich in 2013.

However, his time at Boro now looks to be over.