Neil Warnock explains why Jonny Howson will take over from Britt Assombalonga as Middlesbrough's captain

Howson wore the armband for Boro’s 1-1 draw with Cardiff despite Assombalonga being recalled to the starting XI.

The forward will be out of contract at the end of the season and there remains uncertainty surrounding his future.

When asked by the Mail if Howson will be Boro’s captain until the end of the campaign, Warnock replied: “I think the time has come now for Jonny to take the reins.

“I had a chat with Britt and he understood and agreed in the circumstances and just to concentrate on his game really.”

Boro came from behind to draw with Cardiff as Paddy McNair’s 82nd-minute equaliser cancelled out Sean Morrison’s headed opener from a throw-in.

“We enjoyed it today,” said Warnock after the game. “I've been on at them all week about how difficult it will be because of the way they play.

“The lads competed other than the goal and we played some good stuff at times. We passed it well.

“The goal came and the lads on the bench said let's make sure we don't give it away, I said let's go and win it.

“You only have to look at the stats, we dominated the game really. We had one or two really good performances.

“It's a promising game in the circumstances.”

Despite the late leveller, Boro are now five points off the play-off places following Bournemouth’s 1-0 win over Watford.

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