Neil Warnock's candid response when quizzed on Britt Assombalonga and Marvin Johnson contract situations at Middlesbrough

The 28-year-old striker will see his current deal expire this summer and would have to take a wage cut to stay at the club.

Marvin Johnson and Ashley Fletcher will also be out of contract at the end of the season, yet the latter has been offered new terms.

Johnson signed a one-year extension to stay at the Riverside in August and has impressed Warnock recently, despite starting just one of the side’s last eight games.

When asked by the Mail if there have been any discussions with Assombalonga and Johnson about their futures, Warnock replied: “No not really, I had a chat with Britt in pre-season but no nothing really with Britt.

“I think Marvin has got an option, I think he might have played enough to warrant that but I’ve been happy with Marvin.

“He’s been a bit disappointed that he’s been left out, he’s taken his bat and ball home a couple of times in training, sulky face and all that.

“That doesn’t bother me that, as long as he comes on and did what he did Saturday I’m quite happy with that.”

Warnock also believes new signing Nathaniel Mendez-Laing is ready to start games after joining the club as a free agent in January.

“He’s definitely in a position to start now,” said Warnock when quizzed on the former Cardiff winger. “In fact he’s busting a gut to start, I’ve got to keep him back a little bit.

“I think he’s desperately looking at the Cardiff game on Saturday.”

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