JONNY Howson believes his Middlesbrough teammate Hayden Hackney has all the attributes to go on and play for one of the Premier League's leading clubs in the future.

And Boro's captain says Redcar-born midfielder Hackney is the perfect role model for the next crop of youngsters coming through the academy ranks, with several having impressed when given the chance to step up and join the first team squad this season.

The door has been opened for several youngsters this season because of Boro's injuries woes, with Ajay Matthews and Charlie Lennon both making their senior debuts in the last fortnight. Law McCabe, who came off the bench in the weekend win at Cardiff, has been a regular first team trainer and traveller this season, while the likes of Luke Woolston, goalkeeper Shea Connor and the highly-rated Sonny Finch have also been involved.

Teenage forward Finch broke into the first team fold at the end of last season but his progress was disrupted by injury. However, he's impressed in the youth ranks since returning to action and has a big fan in head coach Michael Carrick.

Howson has liked what he's seen from the youngsters who've been given the chance to step up this season.

"There's a few of them," said the skipper, in conversation with the Twe12thman Podcast this week.

"When we're training a fair few have been involved. They've all had a little bit of a spell this season, We saw Ajay and Charlie Lennon the last couple of games, who've done ever so well. Law McCabe has been with us pretty much all season training and travelling, who has a bright future.

"And another one is Sonny Finch, who has been a bit unlucky with injuries. Those four have been involved and done ever so well.

"It's nice because you can see the more they're involved with us, the more comfortable they become. Sometimes they can be with us a few weeks, get an opportunity and they're straight in.

"I look back here and think of Djed Spence, who got in probably on the back of us not really having anyone else at right-back at that time. He came in out of the blue, had an unbelievable debut, and look how he kicked on.

"For these academy lads, for those who've been with us training regular and also those who maybe haven't, they have to be ready because they might get thrust straight in."

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That was the case for Hackney at the back end of 2022 after the exit of Chris Wilder as boss and how the midfielder stepped up. He's since established himself as one of the brightest young talents in the EFL, has signed two new deals at Boro and become an England Under-21 international.

The 21-year-old has endured a frustrating second half to the season, having not played since February because of a knee injury, but he's turned heads of several Premier League clubs since his breakthrough.

Boro are determined to do all they can to keep Hackney on Teesside this summer, but Howson believes his midfield partner can go on to achieve big things in the game in the future.

He said: "I think Hayden can go on to be whatever he wants, in regards to playing in the Premier League.

"I'll be honest, with the potential he's got, things have to work out for him as well, sometimes you need that bit of luck or the right door to open, but I think he could be top half or even one of those top six sides.

"He's a different sort of player but one player I have played with is Fabian Delph. We came through the academy together and he went on to play for Man City.

"Yeah, they're different players but both have the right attitude which is a massive thing. I've spoken a few times about Hayden, he's been involved with the first team for more than a good year and he hasn't changed one bit. I think that is sometimes what can take you to certain places.

"We all know the ability he's got because it's there to see, but has he got the mindset, determination and work ethic? He's got it all.

"If certain doors open, he certainly has the potential to go on and do that."