Boro will need to act quickly to replace key man Hackney

IF HAYDEN Hackney moves on in the near future, as seems possible, it's important that Middlesbrough bring in a replacement as quickly as they can.

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After all, there's a great possibility at this stage that Boro will start the new campaign with a lineup which is totally unrepresentative of the one which will visit Preston North End on September 13 after the transfer window has closed.

It suggests that Rob Edwards will not have the opportunity to put out his projected established side until we are already five Championship games into the campaign, in addition to the Carabao Cup tie against Doncaster Rovers.

The perfect scenario for we Boro fans, and no doubt for Edwards himself, would be to have his full new-look squad in place before the opener against Swansea City on August 9.

Clearly, it’s not going to happen.

The basis of the team which struggled at times towards the end of last season will be handed the responsibility of getting Boro off to a good start.