Why Neil Warnock doesn't believe Middlesbrough can play with two strikers despite Ashley Fletcher's return

Boro bolstered their attacking options during the January transfer window following the arrivals of Yannick Bolasie, Neeskens Kebano and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing last month.

The Teessiders have also welcomed back Ashley Fletcher following a long-term hamstring injury, meaning there is more competition up front along with Britt Assombalonga and Chuba Akpom.

Fletcher played 90 minutes for Boro’s under-23 side against Leeds last weekend and Warnock says he’s still making progress after suffering the setback in September.

“He had the game on Sunday and covered about 10k, so he’s not far away from full fitness,” said Warnock when asked about Fletcher.

"It’s difficult with these lads that haven’t played for months and months though. It’s hard to get them up to speed just through training, that’s why I asked him to play on Sunday.

"He will come into it in the next few weeks I’m sure, but at the moment, it’s hard to see where because you want your fittest lads out on the pitch.”

Fletcher and Assombalonga were showing signs they could form an effective partnership before the former’s injury.

Yet Warnock says it will be challenging for his team to play with two strikers in the same side.

“I don’t think we are good enough to play 4-4-2 if I’m honest,” admitted Warnock.

“I think teams are better equipped to counter us against that and we haven’t really got a striker who can fill in the hole, although I might try Kebano in there at some stage.

“He’s played that 10 role quite a bit at Fulham but Neeskens has got no responsibility whatsoever, he doesn't worry about defending or anything like that, that’s what he is so you have to put him against the right opponents.”

Boro have played with three central midfielders in Jonny Howson, Sam Morsy and George Saville in recent weeks, yet Warnock says he could change his side’s shape.

"I think we are just going to have to look around the squad at what we can do against the opponents we are playing against,” Warnock added.

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