Middlesbrough FC will surely love Ian Holloway revelation involving Aston Villa transfer | OneFootball

Middlesbrough will be delighted by what Swindon Town boss Ian Holloway has said about Finley Munroe as Boro close in on the Aston Villa man.

Middlesbrough will be delighted by Swindon Town boss Ian Holloway's endorsement of the North East club's imminent new signing Finley Munroe.

The Aston Villa full-back has enjoyed a successful loan stint with Swindon this term, notching two goals and six assists in 23 League Two appearances.

Largely thanks to Munroe's efforts, the Wiltshire club sit second in the fourth-tier, five points adrift of league leaders Bromley, with a game in hand on Andy Woodman's side.

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough are vying for a spot in next season's Premier League, and occupy an automatic promotion spot with 20 Championship games remaining.

Ian Holloway compares Finley Munroe to Everton star

Boro must recruit well this January to ensure that they get the better of Championship promotion rivals such as Ipswich Town and Preston North End.

According to the Northern Echo's Dominic Shaw via X, Kim Hellberg's side are closing in on signing Munroe, having agreed a deal with Villa for the 20-year-old, including a £300k sell-on.

Shaw's post also outlined that Swindon boss Holloway rates Munroe highly and said: "I don't think I've had as good a full-back in my lifetime. Maybe Seamus Coleman. I think Finn's in the same bracket."

That assessment of the youngster will please Middlesbrough, as Everton ace Coleman has been one of the best full-backs in the Premier League.

Furthermore, Holloway boasts rich managerial experience, both in the EFL and the top-flight, so Boro will view the 62-year-old's insight as being very valuable and accurate.

If Munroe lives up to the Swindon manager's expectations at Middlesbrough, he will have the tools to help Hellberg's side win promotion to the Premier League.

Boro have enjoyed a largely successful Championship season so far, which is epitomised by the fact that they currently occupy an automatic promotion spot.

Meanwhile, the current transfer window has presented Hellberg with his first opportunity to put his own stamp on the squad at the Riverside Stadium, having taken over from Rob Edwards in November.

Middlesbrough have already signed Leo Castledine from Chelsea, showing that they are wasting no time in adding more quality to their ranks.

The attacking midfielder performed well while on loan with Huddersfield Town in League One this term, scoring 12 goals across all competitions for the Terriers.

Castledine will hope to hit the ground running in the Championship, having succeeded in the third tier with Huddersfield, helping the West Yorkshire outfit to a play-off spot.

Adding Munroe to his squad, as well as Castledine, should give Hellberg an even greater chance of guiding Boro to the Premier League, as the full-back's League Two performances suggest that he is ready to perform in the second tier.

Middlesbrough face West Brom in their next Championship fixture this Friday, and will vie to defeat the Baggies in Eric Ramsay's first game in charge at The Hawthorns.