Chris Wilder's message to his Middlesbrough players as he offers a pre-season update

As Middlesbrough continue working to add to their squad this summer, manager Chris Wilder has told his current players this is their chance to step forward ahead of the new season. The Boro boss is looking to create competition for places throughout his squad this summer, and wants his players to stake their claim in the summer friendlies.

His players, propped up by five players from the under-23's squad, completed 45 minutes each last weekend as they ran out 5-0 winners at Bishop Auckland in the pre-season opener. They now step up their competition as they travel to National League outfit York City on Friday evening.

And while work continues behind the scenes to add to that squad, there aren't expected to be any new faces in the team that plays York City, with Liam Roberts, Ryan Giles and Darragh Lenihan the three recruits so far, while Tommy Smith is continuing his trial after he impressed at Heritage Park last weekend.

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Wilder said: “Every player has got to take a step forward. We’re looking for every player to improve, whether that’s Josh [Coburn], Isaiah Jones or Jonny Howson or whoever. Everybody has a point to prove and there is going to be fierce competition for places. There are boxes that we need to tick to be successful next season and one is that we need fierce competition in all positions.

"We won’t have a successful season if we only have 13 or 14 players. We have to have competition for everybody to keep them on their toes and raise standards. For loss of form, injury or suspension, we have to have a good quality squad and depth to that, 23-24 players. That will bring out the best in everybody.

“We had some young