Neil Warnock reveals why two Middlesbrough youngsters weren't on the bench at Sheffield Wednesday

Boro have one of the smallest squads in the Championship which has meant the likes of Sam Folarin, 20, and Isaiah Jones, 21, have stepped up to the senior side.

Both players have been included in the Teessiders’ matchday squad this season but weren’t on the bench during Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday, despite Warnock only naming eight substitutes.

When asked by the Mail why Folarin and Jones, who were regulars for Boro’s under-23 side last season, weren’t on the bench at Hillsborough, Warnock explained the situation.

“We have to be careful with these lads because they are training with us but because of the games we’ve had I think their fitness levels have gone down because they haven’t had game time,” said Warnock.

“I wanted them to go and train, I rang Graeme Lee at the under-23s and talked about how they would be better off going back in the 23s and doing some proper training and playing some games in early January.

Warnock could use Boro’s FA Cup game at Brentford on January 9 to make changes but doesn’t think his senior players will want to be rested.

“They might be involved in the FA Cup,” added Warnock when discussing Folarin and Jones. “But they have had to work hard and I think they had three days extra training which they needed.

“When you are in the first team you don’t really do much the day before games, it’s all preparation.”

When asked about the Brentford game and potentially rotating players, Warnock added: “I’m trying to see what we can do, fortunately there will be no fans there so I won’t get criticised too much.

“Even with a full team out it will be hard work, you’ve seen what Brentford are doing, 16 games unbeaten.

“I’m hoping we have two or three lads who are ready to show me what they can do, whether we have enough for a Sam or an Isiah we will have to wait and see.

“The thing about it is, we were looking to give them a break but some players might not want a break now."

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