Neil Warnock explains Duncan Watmore and Paddy McNair situations ahead of Middlesbrough's meeting with Derby County

The 26-year-old forward has signed a short-term contract at Boro until the middle of January but hasn’t played a competitive fixture since March.

Watmore has been training with the Teessiders for the last few weeks and was an unused substitute during Saturday’s 1-0 defeat by Norwich.

Warnock has said he wants to use Watmore as a winger this season, but elected to bring Hayden Coulson and Sam Folarin off the bench at the weekend.

When asked by the Mail if he thinks Watmore is fit enough to start a game, the Boro boss replied: “I think he's fit enough.

“They told me the week before last he did 10km in training one day, which is unheard of up here, the best by far. There's nothing wrong with his fitness, he's busting a gut to get involved.

“I didn't think he was right on Saturday, I thought more Sam would give the left-back a tying, we can all be right after the event. Hayden has done well in training as well, so we went that way.

“But Duncan is definitely up for selection and will get an opportunity.”

Warnock also revealed he gave Paddy McNair an extra day off after the Norwich game, following the defender’s exploits for Northern Ireland.

“Paddy was tired, when you've done what he's done you would be tired,” added Warnock.

“He's a tremendous pro, I gave him another day off yesterday but he still came in for a massage, that's how they are at the minute, they don't want a day off.”

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