Jonathan Woodgate reveals Middlesbrough boost ahead of Swansea City clash - despite Daniel Ayala blow

The Boro head coach has confirmed that Daniel Ayala won’t play another match for the Teessiders after the Spainard, who is still struggling with an ankle issue, elected not to play beyond June 30 when his contract will run out.

Six other players, Adam Clayton, Jonny Howson, Ryan Shotton, George Friend, Marvin Johnson and Rudy Gestede, will also see their Boro deals expire at the end of this month, before July’s hectic schedule of seven games in 21 days.

Yet Woodgate believes the aforementioned players are prepared to complete the campaign, which is set to resume when Swansea City visit the Riverside on Saturday.

“Hopefully, I’ll have them all, that’s how I’m looking at it at the minute,” said Woodgate when asked about the players who will be out of contract this summer.

“I’ve got two games before then (against Swansea and Stoke City), that’s the thing. They have to sign a letter and that’s it, you don’t have to offer them another contract.”

Woodgate insists he has no issues with Ayala’s decision not to play in July, and that the Spaniard would have been available for the games against Swansea and Stoke if it wasn’t for an ongoing ankle injury.

“If Dani Ayala was fit, then Dani would have had a chance to play but at the minute he’s been out for six months with an ankle injury so it was always going to be tough,” Woodgate added.

“He started training when we were training with social distancing and didn’t have a problem and as soon as he went into contact it wasn’t too good for him.”

“Dani said he wasn’t going to play in July, he would only play June so that’s where it is.”

When asked if any other players have indicated they’re not prepared to play in July, Woodgate replied: “Not at the minute. It could change, you never know, but at the minute, no.”

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