Middlesbrough set to face Saint-Etienne and Salford City after pre-season schedule is revealed

Middlesbrough will end their pre-season with a home game against AS Saint-Etienne.

It was claimed last season that Gibson wrote a letter to the EFL asking them to scrutinise Championship rivals Aston Villa, Derby County and Sheffield Wednesday for breaching the regulations

The EFL’s Profitability and Sustainability rules allow clubs to make up to a £39million loss over a rolling three-year period.

Boro are keen to abide by those regulations and, after spending heavily in 2017, sold Adama Traore, Ben Gibson and Patraick Bamford for sizable fees last summer.

And Following the appointment of new manager Jonathan Woodgate, Gibson was asked about Boro’s financial situation, to which he replied: “When you say finances are tight I'm not quite sure about that.

“What I am quite sure about is we have rules called Financial Fair Play and off the pitch it's important every rule (is followed).

“If the rule is not going to be followed (then) don't have it, and if the rule is there. If we have a centre half who picks the ball up in the penalty area I don't expect the referee to ignore it.

“If a player deceives the referee I don't expect that to be ignored. And I don't expect the EFL and other clubs to ignore Financial Fair Play.

“It's there, it's a rule, it's an important rule, it needs to be followed and if it's not followed sanctions must be taken against those clubs that cheat.”

Meanwhile, Boro have announced their pre-season schedule this summer, with his first game set to come against Austrian second division side Grazer AK on Friday, July 5.

Boro will then visit Gateshead at the International Stadium on Wednesday, July 10.

That will be followed by a game against Pools on Sunday, July 14 (1pm), before a trip to Germany to take on Bundesliga 2 outfi FC Heidenheim 1846 on Saturday, July 20 (4pm).

Boro's final pre-season trip will see them travel to EFL newcomers Salford City on Tuesday, July 23, before hosting Saint-Etienne on Sunday, July 28.

Sunday July 28 (3pm).

A week later Boro will begin their 2018/19 campaign, with fixtures set to be announced next week on Thursday June 20.

Last season, Tony Pulis' Boro side opened their campaign with an away trip to Millwall, a game they came from two goals down to draw 2-2.