Chris Wilder clears up Grant Hall’s situation at Middlesbrough

Grant Hall has not managed a league minute for Middlesbrough since Neil Warnock’s final match at the helm and does not appear close to breaking into the first team picture under Chris Wilder.

The 30-year-old centre back has a contract running until the end of next season at The Riverside and there could be a desire to move him on in the summer.

Wilder explained why Hall has not seen many opportunities to even take up a place on the bench when he spoke to TeessideLive.

He said: “Grant is part of the group.

“He’s had a couple of little issues but he is back involved now and back part of the group.

“It has been quite difficult because of the form of Dael Fry.

“We don’t really need two centre-halves on the bench and so Sol has taken that spot, and of course, you’re trying to cover bases.

“Lee Peltier has an important role to play and there are a couple of lads that can move and be flexible for us.

“I do like three forwards on the bench too, so three forwards, a midfield player, a goalkeeper… it makes it difficult.”

With Hall’s limited ball playing ability it does seem clear that the only way he fits into the side would be in the centre of the defensive three, suggesting that without a significant drop-off in performance levels from Dael Fry, any chances in the short term are unlikely.

The Verdict

Sadly for Hall, there is a lot of competitions for places at the back at Middlesbrough.

Lee Peltier and Sol Bamba are clearly above him the pecking order, and even Marc Bola could slot into a back three ahead of the 30-year-old.

Hall has had a solid career at Championship level, without ever being of a promotion pushing standard, which is what Wilder is looking for in their endeavours to win promotion to the Premier League.

Peltier