Dael Fry drops Middlesbrough message after shock Southampton play-off final twist | OneFootball

Dael Fry has shared a message to Middlesbrough supporters following the news that they have replaced Southampton in the Championship play-off final

Dael Fry and his Middlesbrough teammates are set to take on Hull City in the Championship play-off final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

Boro lost to Southampton in their semi-final, but the Saints have been kicked out of the play-offs, having been found guilty of spying on the North East club's training session before their first leg clash.

Consequently, Kim Hellberg's men will now take on Hull at Wembley, with both clubs vying to win a place in the Premier League alongside automatically promoted duo Coventry City and Ipswich Town.

The Tigers got the better of Millwall in their semi-final, and were set to face Southampton, but found out on Tuesday that their Wembley opponents will be Middlesbrough.

Dael Fry shares message with Middlesbrough fans ahead of huge Hull City clash

Boro were in contention for automatic promotion until the last day of the season, but ultimately finished fifth in the Championship, four points adrift of second-place Ipswich.

However, the North East outfit now have their chance to reach the Premier League for the first time since being relegated from the top flight in 2017.

According to Ben Jacobs on X, Southampton have appealed the decision to expel them from the play-offs, meaning the 'spygate' saga rumbles on for now.

Alan Nixon has reported that the decision regarding the Saints' appeal is expected by Wednesday night, so the Saints, Boro, and Hull won't have to wait much longer.

For now, though, Middlesbrough are expecting that they will be the side who take on the Tigers at Wembley on Saturday, following Tuesday's much-talked-about verdict.

Boro defender Fry welcomed the news that his club are set to take part in the play-off final, as he posted on his Instagram story: "UTB! See you all Saturday."

Barring a loan spell with Rotherham United in 2016, the 28-year-old has only ever played for his local club, Middlesbrough, and would love to help them return to the Premier League.

Fry made 29 Championship appearances for Hellberg's side during the regular season and featured in every minute of their two play-off semi-final legs with Southampton.

The centre-back also scored three goals in the second tier this term, and could make his most meaningful attacking contribution of the campaign at Wembley.

Middlesbrough hold one key advantage over Hull ahead of Championship play-off clash

Should Middlesbrough remain in the Championship play-off final, and Southampton are not reinstated, they boast one key advantage over Hull ahead of the decisive Wembley clash.

Boro have known since last Monday that if they reached Wembley, the Tigers would be their opponents, following the Yorkshire outfit's second leg triumph over Millwall at The Den.

In contrast, Sergej Jakirovic's side still don't know for certain who their play-off final opponents will be, which is surely detrimental to their preparations.

The most recent meeting between Middlesbrough and Hull saw the Tigers emerge as 1-0 winners at the Riverside Stadium in December, thanks to Darko Gyabi's first-half goal.

Boro thrashed Jakirovic's men 4-1 at the MKM Stadium earlier that month, though, with David Strelec, Alex Gilbert, Morgan Whittaker, and Riley McGree getting themselves on the scoresheet.

There is significantly more on the line when the two sides meet at Wembley, barring the event that Southampton are reinstated, but Middlesbrough hold an advantage over Hull, as the Tigers haven't known who their play-off opponents would be.