Transfer news: Britt Assombalonga set to leave Middlesbrough following Rangers and Bristol City reports

The 28-year-old frontman, who is Boro’s record signing, will be out of contract this summer and was left out of the matchday squad at Millwall last time out.

Assombalonga is the highest paid player at the Riverside and has scored 47 goals in 159 appearances since joining the Teessiders in 2017.

Boro have eight Championship games remaining this term and are six points off the play-off places ahead of a meeting with Bournemouth.

Asked if Assombalonga, who was Boro’s captain at the start of the season, still has a part to play this campaign, Warnock replied: “It's difficult because he's been my captain.

“I'm not going to mess him about. It's not his fault his contract is up and he's on a good contract.

“I've had no problems with him but I'm not going to take him for the sake of taking him to put him on the team sheet.

“We've got one or two other strikers on the team sheet, I have to respect him as well. I won't just use him like that.

“If the others are fit, it's difficult to see him being involved.”

When asked if there is an acceptance the striker, who has been linked with the likes Rangers and Bristol City, will leave this summer, Warnock added: “Yes, I think that's been common knowledge for a few months really, from both parties.”

Warnock was also said other contract negotiations at Boro have been put on the back-burner until the end of the season.

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