Hayden Hackney backed to leave Middlesbrough for Nottingham Forest on one condition | OneFootball

FLW's Middlesbrough fan pundit has shared their thoughts on the future of star midfielder Hayden Hackney

Middlesbrough's automatic promotion prospects have taken a bit of a hit in recent weeks, and one particular absentee in the majority of those fixtures has been felt more than most.

It's been an excellent year on Teesside for Middlesbrough, yet their campaign could still end in disappointment if they fail to go on and secure automatic promotion.

Alongside Coventry City, Boro have been the outstanding side in the Championship this season, with the two going neck-and-neck for the bulk of the year.

However, a recent dip in form, which has seen Kim Hellberg's side go winless in each of their last five league games, picking up just three points out of a possible 15, has seen their hopes of a top two finish take a huge hit, with Ipswich Town and Millwall hot on their tails.

Absent for the last three games has been club captain and star player Hayden Hackney, whose presence in the middle of the park has, without a doubt, been sorely missed by Boro.

A Premier League player in waiting, it looks increasingly likely that this will be the Englishman's final year in the second tier, regardless of any outcome, and Middlesbrough will be desperate to secure promotion to keep hold of their academy product, with top-flight clubs looming over a potential deal.

Hayden Hackney will not be playing Championship football next season, irrespective of Middlesbrough's fate

Hackney's ability is there for everyone to see, and it goes without question that he is among the very best players currently in the Championship.

Interest in the Boro captain from the Premier League has long been reported, with the likes of Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Everton tracking his progress, among numerous other sides across the division, including most recently relegation candidates Nottingham Forest.

Football League World's Middlesbrough fan pundit, Liam, has shared their views on whether Forest would be a good destination for Hackney this summer in the event Boro don't earn promotion.

Liam said, "I think this would purely depend on what division both sides are in, you know? One's supposedly meant to be fighting for promotion, the other is definitely fighting for their lives in the Premier League. If they're in the same division, I think Hackney needs to step up to the Premier League. I think it's his time, and I don't think he stays with us if we don't go up.

"So, you know, I think a Premier League move is vital for the stage of his career, and if Forest were relegated, I don't think that would be a good move. But if they stay up, I certainly think they're a club with big potential.

"I've been there away many times, a very good fan base, a good team as well. So I think it'd be a good move if they did stay up, but if they come down, I think he has to prioritise a Premier League move, which I think he will do.

"You know, there's a small part of me which prays he stays for another year if we don't go up, but I don't think that's going to happen. So I think his main priority realistically should be a Premier League move next year."

Kim Hellberg must guide Middlesbrough to the Premier League to stand a chance of retaining Hayden Hackney amid Nottingham Forest interest

Hackney's loyalty to Middlesbrough cannot be questioned, as evident with the academy product turning down a move to Ipswich Town in the summer, preferring to stay with his boyhood club.

Only a Premier League move could have possibly tempted him away at that point, and with no top-flight side arriving, what has been their loss has been Middlesbrough's gain, with Hackney once again proving to be instrumental in the middle of the park this campaign.

However, the 23-year-old will almost certainly be entering his final few weeks as a second-tier player, with a move to the Premier League beckoning.

Hellberg must ensure Boro's promotion to stand a chance at keeping the Englishman at the club this summer, and as for Forest, they must ensure survival to stand a chance of luring him to the City Ground.

Hackney would almost certainly be a Premier League player with Middlesbrough as opposed to anyone else, but should Boro miss out, he will likely be saying his goodbyes this summer.