Hellberg confirms Middlesbrough blow ahead of huge final game | OneFootball

Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg has confirmed that Championship Player of the Season Hayden Hackney will not play against Wrexham.

The midfielder has been sidelined since March and Hellberg confirmed he would not feature against play-off chasing Wrexham on the final day of the season.

Middlesbrough have already booked their place in the play-offs, but still hold a slim chance of securing automatic promotion to the Premier League, sitting two points behind Ipswich in second.

“He’s going forward but he will not play in this game,” Hellberg said on Hackney.

“That’s what I can say. But it’s going forward, so that’s some positive news. We’re seeing from day to day but he will not play in this game.

“It’s always a concern having players away. I wish everyone was here and fit, but that’s not the case and that is life. He is going forward and hopefully he can be out on the pitch very, very soon. That’s the aim and the plan.

“This game comes too early and then you’ll have to see what happens and what the plans are. But, of course, if you have the best player in the league you want him on the pitch.”

But Hellberg is hoping to welcome Riley McGree back to the squad for Saturday’s huge clash, however.