Neil Warnock has this fitness message for Middlesbrough duo Dael Fry and Marcus Tavernier

Warnock has revealed he would rather have them back 100% in the summer than risking the duo in the tail end of this campaign, given Boro are mid-table and have nothing left to play for with play-off hopes gone.

The Boro boss has already lost the likes of Marcus Browne, Anfernee Dijksteel and Sam Morsy to long-term injuries.

Speaking ahead of the 12.30pm Championship clash with QPR at the Riverside on Saturday afternoon, Warnock has said numbers are depleted on the training ground currently but his focus is already turning to next season.

Warnock said: “Yesterday there were one or two not fully training and we ended up six-a-side.

"For Championship level we’re a bit thin on the ground.

“I spoke to the physios and medical staff yesterday, they think it’s highly unlikely that Tav would be available before the end of the season, and I don’t think Dael would be back until possibly Luton.

“I’ve said to forget all that, and make sure they’re right for July 1 and pre-season.

“Unless something happens I can’t see me using either player - why if there’s nothing at stake would I risk them.

“They’ve got a couple of months now to get back to full strength.

“That’s the kind of injuries they have, they need to have a plan and a programme to build their muscles up so we don’t get a repeat every year.”

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