NEIL Taylor has signed a new contract with Middlesbrough extending his stay at the club until the end of the season. 

The 32-year-old signed a short-term deal back in November until the middle of January but has been in talks with the club over an extension. Taylor has featured twice for Boro in victories over Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest and is expected to be involved due to Marc Bola’s knee injury, which is set to keep him out for a number of weeks.

West Brom, Coventry City and Bristol City were reportedly all been alerted to his situation with his contract coming to an end in a matter of days. However, Taylor has decided to stay on Teesside with manager Chris Wilder expressing a desire to keep the verteran defender. 

“I think Neil has been outstanding. He’s come to the football club" Wilder said earlier today.

"I knew what Neil was about, known what his career was all about, his personality was all about.

“To come into that game against Bournemouth having not played any football or senior football and play in the manner that he did and take that on. Neil Taylor has been outstanding off the pitch as well as on it.

“When (Marc) Bola was playing, Neil was there backing it up. Encouraging in the changing room, a proper team player, waiting for his opportunity. Like we talked about (Martin) Payero or anyone else we’ve talked about. They are just waiting for their opportunity to step in.

“It opened up, Marc got injured and he took it. I’ll be delighted if Neil gets sorted out and stays until the end of the season and hopefully longer.”

Taylor is expected to be welcomed back into the squad for tomorrow's game against the Royals at the Riverside Stadium having tested positive for Covid. 

Meanwhile, Boro remain hopeful of wrapping up a deal for Australian midfielder Riley McGree in time for him to be involved against Reading tomorrow.

Boro are awaiting international clearance to rubber stamp the deal after a successful set of talks and a medical earlier this week.