Neil Warnock provides Middlesbrough contract update after ex-Charlton man signs new deal

Dijksteel, 24, penned a four-and-a-half year contract at the Riverside on Monday after some excellent performances this season.

The Dutch defender suffered a lengthy knee injury after joining Boro from Charlton in 2019 but has become a key player under Warnock.

When asked how good Dijksteel could be ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Norwich, Warnock said: “I think we’ll know at the end of the season.

"If he can continue in the same form and the way he’s playing, with the presence that he has, then come the end of the season, I’d imagine there’ll be quite a few clubs looking at him.

“I just think the club has got to protect the player, and we’ll be looking at one or two players over the next few weeks.

“I’m looking at it longer term, whether I’m here or not, the club has to have plans in place.

“Dijksteel has improved really well and gets better by the game. It’ll be interesting to see whether he can continue that, but there’s no reason why he can’t. We’ve just got to hope that he does.”

“It’s not just the young players – there’s a mixture of people that I would like to tie up at the club. We’re going to be looking at that aspect of the club in close detail in the next few weeks.”

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