Neil Warnock praises 'exciting' Manchester City winger after being quizzed on Middlesbrough's loan players

Patrick Roberts, Lukas Nmecha, Ravel Morrison and Harold Moukoudi all joined the Teessiders temporarily in January but were set to leave the Riverside at the end of this month.

Yet football’s suspension means the Championship season will now finish in July, with Boro set to play their remaining seven fixtures in the space of just 21 days.

Loan players and those who will see their contracts expire on June 30 have been given an option to complete this campaign beyond their current deals.

In Boro’s case, first-team quartet Ryan Shotton, George Friend, Adam Clayton and Marvin Johnson have all signed waivers to finish the 2019/20 season with the Teessiders.

When asked if the club’s loan players will also stay at Boro following Saturday’s 2-0 win over Stoke, Warnock said: “Yes I think so, I spoke to Rav and Harold, he’s had a bit of an injury Harold.

“I’m not 100 per cent aware because I’ve not had time to talk about the loan players, I’ve just been concentrating on the lads that are here and were available for today.”

Out of Boro’s loan quartet, Roberts was the only one who featured at the bet365 Stadium and produced another impressive display, including an assist for Ashley Fletcher’s opener.

Warnock praised Boro’s front three of Roberts, Fletcher and Britt Assombalonga after the game, describing their performances as ‘unbelievable.’

When asked about Roberts, who has just returned from a hamstring injury, Warnock said: “I love exciting players like him.

“I could give him a bit of a rollicking if I’m honest, a couple of times he was too greedy. He could have put people in and done things but listen when you’re a wide player and exciting I don’t mind.

“As long as you do it in the right areas, you don’t do it in your own half.

“Like I say, I thought they did well the front three and your defending starts with your front three.

“I wouldn’t want to mark them three if I’m honest if I was any defence.”