Exclusive: Don Goodman claims Middlesbrough player "will be missed" amid major contract dilemma | OneFootball

Jonny Howson's recent performances may have been enough to earn him another contract.

Following a string of excellent performances of late, Middlesbrough midfielder Jonny Howson has prompted discussions among the club’s fanbase as to whether he should be offered a new deal to extend his eight-year stay at the club.

The 36-year-old is set to depart the club if nothing is done, with his current contract due to expire this summer.

Howson had been little more than a squad player for the majority of the season, but hardly missed a minute of action after coming into the starting 11 in Boro’s win over QPR in early March.

The former Leeds and Norwich man started in each of Boro’s final 10 league games, and a string of superb displays has resulted in suggestions from fans that he should be offered renewed terms.

Jonny Howson will be a huge miss if departing Middlesbrough this summer

Howson’s recent performances have been a shining light amidst what was a hugely disappointing end to the season for Middlesbrough.

Michael Carrick’s side won just one of their last six games, a run which ultimately consigned them to another year in the Championship.

However, given how impressive Howson was in the latter stages of the campaign, the veteran may have played his way into another contract for next year.

Although a midfielder by trade, Boro’s injury crisis had been so bad in the closing stages of the season that the 36-year-old had to ply his trade at the heart of the defence.

Howson had just returned from a lengthy injury lay-off of his own when he stepped into the side for the victory over QPR, but he has then played a vital role, meaning that discussions over a potential new contract are justifiable.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Don Goodman has revealed that he feels Howson will be a huge miss whenever he does depart the club.

The EFL pundit said: “He’s 37 later this month, so he’s obviously coming towards the end, which happens to all of us.

"In terms of Middlesbrough, what a disappointing season it’s been. I was expecting them to be challenging, definitely for the play-offs, I thought they’d be a shoo-in this year.

“Jonny (Howson) played 21 games and is a Middlesbrough legend.

"But the same conundrum always happens when players are getting to his age who have been good servants. Do you keep them around and have them play a bit-part role and be leaders in the dressing room?

“He’s had a stellar career and will be missed when he eventually leaves the club.”

Middlesbrough will want to push on next season - should Jonny Howson be a part of it?

Although their campaign still ended with a top 10 finish, Middlesbrough will surely be frustrated with how their season has turned out.

It was a year that promised much more than that at times, and Carrick’s men will surely regret the way their play-off hopes faded out.

Next season will be Boro’s ninth consecutive year outside the top flight, and they will be doing everything they can to ensure that they are competing in the upper echelons of the table next term.

However, with that in mind, some ruthless decisions may have to be made this summer by the club’s hierarchy, and that could include Howson.

While he has been a hugely reliable performer for them over the years, with the veteran now surely entering the final stages of his career, you wonder whether he is good enough on a consistent basis for a team that will want to challenge for promotion.

Players of his level of experience and leadership can play a vital role within a squad, even if they don’t play many games. However, there must then also be consideration as to what is best for Howson at this stage of his career.

If the midfielder has a desire to play as much football as he can before he calls time on his career, then it may well benefit both parties for him to move elsewhere.

If he does ultimately depart the Riverside Stadium this summer, Howson can leave knowing that he has been a fantastic servant to the club over several years.