Pre-season will provide opportunities for several members of the squad to make an impression, whether they are young players coming through the ranks, those who have fallen down the pecking order or been out on loan.
Boro’s first pre-season friendly is set to take place against Bishop Aukland on Wednesday, July 14, before the squad travel to Cornwall for a week-long training camp.
Warnock has already said there are always one or two players who surprise him in pre-season and, with the squad looking thin following several first-team departures in recent months, there are bound to be opportunities.
So which individuals are set for a big pre-season this year, and who needs to impress as Boro prepare to return to action in July? We take a closer look:
1. Lewis Wing
Warnock has said there are always one or two players who surprise him in pre-season, and Wing will hope he's that man this year. The 25-year-old fell down the pecking order last season but impressed on loan at Rotherham in the second half of the campaign. Photo: Alex Burstow
2. Hayden Coulson
After what looked like a breakthrough 2019/20 campaign, the 23-year-old's progress stalled last season. Warnock hasn't known where to play Coulson, trying him in several different positions without finding a solution. The player will hope his application in training can earn him a place in the team. Photo: George Wood
3. Isaiah Jones
The 21-year-old winger is rated highly in Boro's academy and has returned from a promising loan spell at Queen of the South. An injury prevented Jones from joining up with the senior squad last summer so he'll be hoping to impress this year. Photo: JPI Media
4. George Saville
There's no question that Saville is one of the players who has improved under Warnock and is an established member of the senior squad. Yet the Northern Ireland international only has a year left on his contract at Boro and faces competition in midfield. He'll therefore be hoping to show he deserves a new deal. Photo: Stu Forster