Confirmed Hayden Hackney update drops ahead of Southampton v Middlesbrough | OneFootball

Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg has dropped an update on Hayden Hackney ahhead of Southampton facing Boro in the play-off second leg...

Southampton and Middlesbrough face off on Tuesday in the second leg of the play-offs after the 0-0 draw at The Riverside, with Boro without Hayden Hackney since mid-March in a 1-1 draw with Bristol City.

The midfielder has regularly served as captain this term, having won the Championship Player of the Season award for his efforts in a Middlesbrough shirt this season. He has the ability to dictate the tempo of games for Kim Hellberg's side.

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 draw with Bristol City in mid-March, he has not featured since.

In the last nine games without Hackney, Boro have won just twice, with five draws. He was not present against the Saints for the 0-0 draw after the Spygate drama, meaning he could have played his last game for Boro already if he doesn't play a part tomorrow night.

Hayden Hackney expected to miss Southampton vs Middlesbrough play-off

Hackney's importance to this Middlesbrough side cannot be understated, even with the brilliance of Aidan Morris and Riley McGree present in his absence. In many ways, the Teesside faithful will be hoping that they haven't seen the last of him in the club's colours.

Boro have been hopeful of Hackney's return in some capacity this week. But with him not even present on their bench on Saturday, it has always felt like a longshot for him to play any part in these play-off matches.

Hull City or Millwall will be in the final, but could Hackney now play a part before then? Or does he remain out of action for the leg at St. Mary's on Tuesday night?

Per journalist Alfie House on X (formerly Twitter), Kim Hellberg has revealed that Hackney has been ruled out of playing for Middlesbrough in the second leg against Southampton tomorrow night.

With the final in just over two weeks, he could perhaps be back for that game. However, Boro's chances of making the final without him have to be considered as lower for such an important player.

Middlesbrough fans know Hayden Hackney is needed for the play-off final at Wembley

Hackney is absolutely central to Hellberg’s Middlesbrough side, just as he was under Michael Carrick before him. That style of dominant play with a footballer with the ability to dictate tempo, break lines with progressive passes, and receive possession under pressure makes him the heartbeat of Boro’s build-up.

Few Championship midfielders combine that degree of technical quality and composure as consistently as Hackney. Arguably none do, which is why, irrespective of whether Middlesbrough win promotion, he feels destined to become a Premier League player this summer.

Half the division will be monitoring him closely, particularly because his contract expires in 2027. That leaves Middlesbrough vulnerable to cashing in now as they lose significant leverage when he enters the final year of his deal. If he has played his final game for the club, that is a real shame for both Hackney and their fans.

However, the positive angle is that beating Southampton could see Hackney return for the final, send the club up, before signing new terms on a long-term deal. That is certainly the angle Boro fans will be hoping for with a huge night ahead of them tomorrow.