What Neil Warnock said about Britt Assombalonga and Ashley Fletcher as forward pair leave Middlesbrough

Neil Warnock has confirmed both Britt Assombalonga and Ashley Fletcher have left Middlesbrough.
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The two strikers will both be out of contract at the end of the season but won’t be training with the squad for the final few weeks of the campaign.

It’s been known for some time that Assombalonga, who is the highest earner at the Riverside, would depart, while Fletcher was offered a new deal at the start of the year but decided to assess his options.

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Neither player was included in the matchday squad as Boro came from behind to beat Rotherham 2-1 at the New York Stadium.

Britt Assombalonga and Ashley Fletcher playing for Middlesbrough.Britt Assombalonga and Ashley Fletcher playing for Middlesbrough.
Britt Assombalonga and Ashley Fletcher playing for Middlesbrough.

When asked about the pair after the match, Warnock said: "We’ve told them that they won’t be involved again now. They won’t play and they won’t train with us. I just felt it was the right time.

"It’s difficult for players as well – it’s not their fault altogether. I thought it was time after I brought on Britt on at the weekend.

"When you’re looking at next season and you know you’re not going to be here, both of them have probably got another club now, so I’m told. I didn’t think there was any point carrying on. We’ve agreed to let them both go – it’s only two more weeks."

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Warnock only named five outfield players, none of whom had any previous Championship experience, on the bench at Rotherham due to injuries.

Djed Spence, Hayden Coulson and Darnell Fisher were also added to the injury list following a 2-1 defeat by QPR, with Sam Morsy, Marcus Tavernier, Dael Fry, Anfernee Dijksteel, Marcus Browne and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing already sidelined.

“Djed’s got a slight problem with his groin, and Darnell has had a scan," Warnock added.

"We don’t know how bad that is. He’s got something there, and they were getting a second opinion today about whether he’ll play again in the next three games. I don’t know.

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"But I see Dijksteel training like a Trojan today, and Tav and Dael. When you think about the players we’re missing, we’ve got some good players out. It is frustrating for a manager when it seems all your best players get injured, but it’s one to look forward to.”

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