What Neil Warnock said about George Friend and Marvin Johnson as Middlesbrough pair are offered new deals

The pair agreed to complete the 2019/20 campaign after their contracts expired and were key players as Boro avoided relegation from the Championship.

Friend, 32, has joined the Teessiders eight years ago but had struggled with injuries before regaining form and fitness under Warnock.

The Boro boss even compared the Friend to Cardiff centre-back Sol Bamba who he managed during his spell in South Wales.

“We’ve offered them deals, but we’ve not had an answer back yet,” said Warnock when asked about Friend and Johnson. “I think they both deserved to be offered new deals.

“Whether they’ll keep the shirt, I don’t know. That’s up to them really, with the signings we’re making. But they’re both very good pros.

“I think Marvin in particular came through at the end, in the last few games, as good as I’ve ever seen him play. I think he’ll enjoy the challenge of trying to keep that position.

“George is George – he’s just good around the club. He’s like a Sol Bamba for me at Cardiff – he looks after the dressing room and makes it a lot easier for you.”

Several other players have recently seen their contracts expire at Boro, with Adam Clayton, Ryan Shotton and Rudy Gestede all departing.

Warnock also confirmed that none of the aforementioned players were offered new deals.

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