Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder gives update on reported Bristol City target

Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder says he expects Bristol City’s reported transfer target Neil Taylor to remain at the club until the end of the season.

City were one of three clubs including Coventry and West Bromwich Albion who were reportedly interested in the left-back.

Taylor’s contract is up in the next few weeks at the Riverside Stadium but it seems his short-term future at least will be on Teeside.

His manager, who has seen an upturn in form since replacing Neil Warnock, expects the Wales international to pen a new deal which will at least keep him at Boro until the conclusion of the current campaign.

“We’re in conversation with Neil as we speak” said the Boro boss to the Northern Echo.

“The professional that he is wants to get the games out of the way. I suspect there will be no issue with that and Neil will be with us until the end of the season.”

The 32-year-old has made only two Championship appearances since joining in November after four months of free agency following his release from Aston Villa.

Both of those games that he has featured in though have been wins over both Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest.

He may have played a further game last weekend but their match with Sheffield United was called off due to positive COVID cases.

Back in December, Taylor said despite his contract expiring in the near future, he expressed his desire to stay at the club, perhaps putting an end to the Robins’ pursuit.

“It’s not at the forefront of my mind at the minute. Obviously that will be discussed probably after the Christmas period,” said Taylor to the Northern Echo back in December

“I’m fairly relaxed on it. I enjoy playing football, I enjoy being here and that’s something to look to in the future.”

This season, manager Nigel Pearson has rotated on who he plays at left-back, sometimes playing a 3-4-1-2, whilst he also reverted to a flat back four in their most recent win against Millwall.

Zak Vyner initially started there but after moving to centre-back after Ryley Towler’s substitution, Cameron Pring played in the role.

Pring has an impressive record that he has played in six of City’s eight wins in the 25 matches they have played this season, only Tomas Kalas, Chris Martin and Andi Weimann have played in all of the victories.

Meanwhile Jay DaSilva was fancied at the start of the season and has gone on to make 16 appearances but has not played since the defeat to Coventry City back in November, instead having to settle for a place as an unused substitute.

He is one of the three first-team players that will be allowed to depart B3 this month should any clubs field a satisfactory offer