Chris Wilder is clear on the position Paddy McNair will play for Middlesbrough this season

Chris Wilder is not planning on switching Paddy McNair into midfield this season, and insists the Northern Irishman will be a right-sided centre-back under him. It comes after the Boro boss revealed he still hopes to sign a new left-footed centre-back this summer to fill the role in the back three that McNair occupied for much of last season.

McNair has always had the ability to play in multiple positions, which has led many to debate which he is best in. For the past two years he has excelled as a centre-back for Boro, but for his country still mainly plays as a midfielder, while sometimes playing right-wing-back too. And while having that versatility can be useful, Boro boss Wilder notes it can also be the downfall of some players when they want to establish one position in the team as their own.

Wilder plans to sign a left-footed centre-back in order to add more balance to his side, with McNair to switch to the right side instead. That has been the plan for a long time, but the addition of Darragh Lenihan this summer left question marks over that plan, with Anfernee Dijksteel also competing for that place in the team.

Chris Wilder still hoping to sign a left-sided centre-back this summer

But after deploying Lenihan as the central defender of the three, it now looks like the former Blackburn captain will be competing with Dael Fry for that position, as Wilder discussed McNair's best position and wanting round pegs in round holes.

After the summer opener at Bishop Auckland, Wilder said when asked if he might move McNair into midfield this season: “It’s not something I’m planning to do. I think it’s been quite tough for Paddy at times because of his versatility. It can sometimes be your downfall as well.

"He wants to