Middlesbrough's full-back dilemma highlighted after Gateshead win

The 31-year-old midfielder was handed the No 2 shirt for Middlesbrough’s pre-season friendly at Gateshead, before taking up his place on the right side of defence.

It’s not a new position for Howson, who played as a right wing-back under previous manager Tony Pulis last season, yet the move did highlight Boro’s lack of options in the defensive berth.

Howson, who missed the squad’s pre-season trip to Austria due to the birth of his son, was keen to get minutes under his belt and get back up to speed after the off-season.

The Leeds-born midfielder was one of Boro’s most consistent performers last term, his energy and work rate making him one of the first names on the team sheet.

“I’ve always said I don’t mind where I play, said Howson after the Gateshead win. ”I give my best shot, I give everything I’ve got. If it’s enough great, if not I know I’ve given everything I can.”

But is Howson really a long-term right-back solution for head coach Jonathan Woodgate?

To this observer it seems Boro need a more natural fit, with Howson’s qualities better suited to the middle of the park.

Boro’s other right-back options include the experienced Ryan Shotton and up-and-coming teenager Djed Spence, who started the friendly against Grazer AK and came on at half-time against Gateshead.

Shotton, 30, was Boro’s regular right-back under Pulis, after moving across from a centre-back role, and at times appeared uncomfortable on the right of a 3-5-2 system.

Spence, meanwhile, looks like a promising prospect, yet, at only 18 years old, it would be a risk to throw him straight into a 46-game campaign with little back-up.

Boro face a similar dilemma on the opposite flank with George Friend the squad’s only senior option, while 20-year-old Patrick Reading is also emerging.

Even so, the Teessiders still look a little light in the full-back areas and could use some reinforcements ahead of the new campaign.