Middlesbrough player needs January exit - Rob Edwards trend hasn’t continued under Kim Hellberg | OneFootball

Samuel Silvera has seen his game time at Middlesbrough take a hit since the arrival of Kim Hellberg

Samuel Silvera emerged as a regular under Rob Edwards at Middlesbrough at the beginning of the EFL Championship season, but since Kim Hellberg has replaced the Welshman, the wing-back has seen his game time drastically decrease.

If you had told Middlesbrough fans that at the halfway point of the Championship season that they would be sitting comfortably in 2nd place, you would do well to find one who wouldn't take it.

Former Luton Town boss Rob Edwards, who guided the Hatters to the Premier League just a few years ago, took on the reins at The Riverside this summer, replacing the outgoing Michael Carrick.

Edwards started his tenure superbly, winning each of his opening four league games and being unbeaten in the first eight league games, with Australian wing-back Samuel Silvera being reintegrated into the squad and playing a key role in that run.

However, fast-forward to the halfway point, Edwards has left to join Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers, and has since been replaced by Swedish boss Kim Hellberg, whose change in system has meant that Silvera has found his game time once again limited.

Silvera, 25, has just six months remaining on his current deal on Teesside, and if his game time is to remain limited, a swift January exit may be best for all parties.

Samuel Silvera has seen his game time at Middlesbrough fade since Kim Hellberg's arrival

Since Hellberg arrived at the club, Silvera has seen his game time fade, and has played just 30 minutes of football since the Swede took charge.

Hellberg has installed a 4-2-3-1 shape at the club, meaning that Silvera, who has more often than not been utilised as a wing-back, doesn't have a role to play in the squad.

Indeed, the Aussie international is able to play on the wing, but with the likes of Riley McGree, Delano Burgzorg, Tommy Conway, Morgan Whittaker, David Strelec, Sontje Hansen, Kaly Sene, and Michah Hamilton for competition, it's unlikely he will be nailing down a starting berth anytime soon.

Hellberg has started his Boro tenure with four wins in his opening six, and despite going winless in their last two outings, the Swede is unlikely to switch to a wing-back formation anytime soon.

Whilst Boro have a squad capable of playing such a system, as seen under Edwards, Hellberg is likely to stick with his preferred back four system, leaving Silvera without a natural place and out in the cold.

With six months remaining on his current deal and ahead of a World Cup year, Silvera simply cannot afford to spend the next six months on the bench.

The 25-year-old was recalled to the Socceroos squad in September and is certainly in their plans ahead of the World Cup, but to remain in strong contention, he simply must be playing regular football.

If he cannot get that at Boro, he must try to force a move for the greater good of his career.

Whether Middlesbrough would be willing to allow him to leave on loan once again, with just six months remaining on his deal, remains to be seen, but if he is unrequired, they are unlikely to put up much of a fight to keep him.

A permanent departure could also be on the cards, and recent reports have suggested that the play-off hopefuls are unlikely to stand in Silvera's way if he demands an exit from the Riverside Stadium.

As the January window approaches, Hellberg's main focus will likely be on arrivals, and should even more attacking options be sought after, it could spell the end of Silvera's time on Teesside this winter.