Hellberg gives Hackney update ahead of Middlesbrough’s play-off semi-final second leg

Hellberg gives Hackney update ahead of Middlesbrough’s play-off semi-final second leg

Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg confirmed star man Hayden Hackney will not be back for his side’s Championship play-off semi-final second leg against Southampton.

Hackney has been sidelined since March but Hellberg is hopeful the midfielder could return for the play-off final should Middlesbrough make it.

“Hayden is preparing for the final,” Hellberg said. “He will not be ready for this one, but I think he will be ready for the final.

“He hasn’t been close enough [to play in the second leg], to be fair. He’s on the grass now and, to be fair, that was a massive step forward in the last few days. He’s getting better and better, and in 14 days, he will be ready.

“If it comes to it, then we will look to arrange some games to get him ready. You always need to look for a plan leading up to that game [the final], and of course we are prepared for that. We have a schedule mapped out right up to the final.”

The play-off tie between Middlesbrough and Southampton has been overshadowed by allegations that Southampton spied on their opponents’ training session ahead of the first leg, with the club subsequently being charged by the EFL.

But Hellberg was reluctant to comment further ahead of the second leg.

“I need to, and we need to try and talk about the game. That’s the most important thing now,” he insisted.

“I answered all those on Saturday, and took my time to do it. Now I want to prepare my team for this game.”