Middlesbrough team news involving Hayden Hackney emerges ahead of Southampton play-off | OneFootball

Middlesbrough are hoping Hayden Hackney will return to play some part in their play-off campaign after a calf injury

Middlesbrough are set to take on Southampton in the Championship play-offs over two legs, but are sweating on the availability of Hayden Hackney for those games.

Middlesbrough's season has ultimately ended in disappointment, having missed out on automatic promotion to Ipswich Town after being in a prime position to seal a return to the Premier League.

Kim Hellberg's side went four games without defeat in their final four, but prior to that had suffered damaging defeats at home to Charlton Athletic, Millwall, and Portsmouth, ultimately winning just four of their final 15 league games and slipping away from the top two.

Now, all focus will be on their two-legged affair with Southampton, with their opponents heading into the clash in by far the better form of the two clubs, in what is set to be an enthralling display.

The Riverside hosts the first leg on Saturday, though, unfortunately for Boro, it looks increasingly likely that they will be without star player Hayden Hackney, but they remain quietly optimistic about his situation.

Middlesbrough are hoping Hayden Hackney will return to play some part in the club's play-off fixtures

Hayden Hackney has long been widely regarded as one of the best, if not the best, midfielders in the Championship, and his absence towards the latter stages of the campaign has almost certainly played a significant role in Boro falling short of the automatic places in the end.

The 23-year-old has been instrumental for his boyhood club once again this season, but having picked up a calf injury in Boro's 1-1 draw with Bristol City in mid-March, he has not featured since, missing the final eight games of the campaign, having previously not missed a game all season.

In those eight games, Middlesbrough won just two and picked up ten points from a possible 24, and having fallen four points short of Ipswich Town in 2nd, his presence in the midfield could well have been the difference.

Midfield partner Aidan Morris has stepped up in Hackney's absence, with the American continuing to be a crucial figure in Hellberg's side, with the Swede lauding the American's performance, saying: "He's been good all season, and I think he's improved through the season and been better and better and better. He was brilliant with Hayden alongside him. I think that was the best centre midfield in the league by far.

"And now, he's continued improving also in the absence of Hayden. They played very, very well together - that was one very great midfield that was very good on the ball, and good at creating opportunities.

"Aidan has raised his level throughout the whole season. I think that's the important thing, just keep improving."

As things stand, Hackney feels set to miss the first leg against Southampton on Saturday, and with a return date not yet confirmed, it remains to be seen what role he will play in Boro's promotion efforts, if any.

However, the club remain hopeful of his return within the week, where he has the opportunity to play a telling role in Boro's fate.

Kim Hellberg will be praying on Hayden Hackney's return for Middlesbrough's play-off campaign

Hackney's importance to Boro cannot be understated, and the Teesside faithful will be hoping that they haven't seen the last of him in the club's colours.

The Championship Player of the Season winner has long been linked with a move to the top-flight, and looks destined to be playing in the Premier League next season, one way or another.

Should Boro miss out on promotion, his sale feels an almost foregone conclusion, though his destination remains elusive.

Brighton and Hove Albion and Nottingham Forest have both been linked with him as of late, but the queue doesn't begin or end there, as the Englishman will have his pick of the clubs this summer should Boro remain in the second tier.

He will be hoping to guide his club to the top-flight, where he would likely stay for another year. Though for that to happen, he must get back to fitness as soon as possible, with his presence in the midfield crucial to Hellberg's side's chances against Southampton.