Middlesbrough's Adam Clayton opens up on Sheffield Wednesday absence, Neil Warnock relationship and flat ending

Boro concluded their 2019/20 campaign with a 2-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday after goals from Paddy McNair and Britt Assombalonga at Hillsborough.

Clayton is one of the players whose contract expired in June but signed a short-term waiver to complete the season.

Yet the midfielder, who signed for Boro in 2014, was left out of the squad against both Cardiff and Wednesday, despite Boro not naming a full substitutes bench.

When asked about Clayton after the match, Boro boss Neil Warnock said the player’s absence was a joint decision, and he was more annoyed with Jonny Howson for getting sent off against Cardiff.

“It was both of us really,” said Warnock. “I'm not going to risk players getting injured at this stage. It wasn't fair.

“I was more annoyed with Howson getting sent off.”

Clayton later took to Twitter to answer fans’ questions and confirmed he’s not been offered a new deal.

“Boro have not offered me a new contract. I would love to play here forever,” he posted. “It’s life Boro will be forever ingrained in my family. I wish so much success for them.”

Clayton has been a key player for Boro over the last six years and helped the club win promotion to the Premier League in 2016.

One fan said: “It seemed a very flat and disappointing way to end.”

To which Clayton responded: “You talk about flat , you give some of your prime years to a club for six seasons and then get told you can go (a) week before a season ends because you’re not needed... that’s flat.”

On Warnock, Clayton added: “Neil was exactly what Boro needed at that time , he was brilliant with me and brilliant with the team. Neil’s training and how he and his staff are around the training ground is brilliant . We got on well.”

On his future plans, Clayton said: “Honestly with coronavirus it’s been a very slow process . I just hope I can go somewhere, be happy and play football because it’s what I love.”

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