JONNY Howson has dropped his strongest hint yet that he'll be extending his stay at Middlesbrough and signing a new contract.

The club captain's current contract expires this summer but Howson, Boro's coaching team and club bosses are all keen on agreeing an extension, with the midfielder saying he "can't see any reason" why a deal won't be struck.

Howson has made more than 300 appearances for Boro since joining from Norwich in 2017 and remains as crucial as ever on Teesside.

The former Leeds midfielder turns 36 next month but is still a hugely important figure for Michael Carrick's side on and off the pitch. He's started 34 and featured in 37 of Boro's 45 Championship games this season.

The current contract uncertainty is nothing new for Howson, who has been in a similar position for the last couple of seasons before signing 12-month extensions. And everything is pointing towards that again being the case this summer.

Howson very much remains in Carrick's plans for next season and chairman Steve Gibson last week told supporters at a Q&A at the Riverside that he wants the captain to stay. And Howson himself has made his feelings clear.

"I'd love to stay," he said, featuring as a special guest on the Twe12thman Podcast.

"It's great the club wants me to stay, hopefully it can get sorted. I can't see any reason why it shouldn't but until it gets sorted...

"Until anything gets sorted, it is hard to say anything. In football anything can happen so until it's all sorted it wouldn't be fair for me to comment either way."

Howson is calm about the matter, adding: "It's been like this for the last few years, so in regards to myself and the fans it's the same it has been the last few years and hopefully the same outcome."

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Howson is a hugely popular figure on Teesside, having been a pivotal figure for several managers and the experienced midfielder is desperate to win promotion at the Riverside, his aim when he joined the club seven years ago.

Boro will sign off for the season at home to Watford this weekend and although Carrick's side have come up short in their bid to reach the play-offs, Howson says the squad can take confidence from the way they've dealt with various challenges this term and finished the campaign on a high.

He said: "Going on the last couple of seasons, it's the start that has cost us over the season.

"Hopefully we can build on this. One defeat in 11 games is some going at any level. At times this season we've been short on numbers and had some tough spells, it's testament to everyone involved (that Boro have finished so well and gone so close)."

He added: "From my point of view, I'll always give everything I've got. I can take it if someone thinks I can't pass, tackle, shoot but if anybody ever questioned my attitude that would hurt.

"It's a skill to do it day in day out because let's be honest, not everyone can keep going day in, day out. Form will naturally go up and down but commitment should never be questioned.

"I've enjoyed my time at Middlesbrough and hopefully we can keep it going."

Watch the full Howson interview with the Twe12thman Podcast HERE.