Middlesbrough v QPR 17APR21 1 - 2 FT 10th/59pts

Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock has ruled key players Dael Fry and Marcus Tavernier out for the rest of the season due to their injuries. With the Teessiders 14 points off the play-off places with five games to go, it’s pretty much impossible for Boro to get into the top six unless everything falls their way, which is unlikely to happen. So Warnock is planning ahead for next season, and that’s caused him to make a decision on two of his young stars.

Tavernier has appeared in just four Championship matches out of Boro’s last 16, with a knee injury ruling him out initially but he then picked up a calf issue last month against Millwall and hasn’t been seen since. Similarly centre-back Fry has also not played a game since the loss against Millwall – he too is struggling with his calf and Boro have suffered at the back without him, losing twice and conceding six goals in the last three games. Rather than rush the two youngsters back though, Warnock has revealed he is ending their seasons and preparing them to come back in the summer fully refreshed.