Middlesbrough defender Harley Hunt has suffered a major injury setback, undergoing surgery for a hamstring issue that will sideline him for three to four months. The 18-year-old centre-back, who joined from Swindon Town in 2024, had been building momentum after recent appearances but now faces another lengthy recovery period.
What happened to Harley Hunt?
Hunt, who made his senior debut in the Carabao Cup last season, revealed on Instagram that he is "gutted" by the injury but remains determined to return stronger. The youngster had been part of Middlesbrough's pre-season squad, including their training trip to Portugal, but missed Saturday's friendly against Celtic due to the injury. His latest setback comes after previous injury issues disrupted his progress last season.
Why this is a blow for Middlesbrough
The injury is a significant blow for Middlesbrough, who finished fifth in the Championship last season with 80 points (22W-14D-10L) and a +25 goal difference. Hunt had been tipped for a bigger role this season after impressing under former manager Michael Carrick. His absence adds to defensive concerns, though the club has been boosted by the return of Kyle Joseph and Alfie Jones to training after their own injury layoffs.
What comes next for Hunt and Boro?
While Hunt recovers, Middlesbrough will look to strengthen their defensive options ahead of the new season. Manager Kim Hellberg has confirmed that Joseph and Jones are back in training, providing some relief. The team, which ended last season on a poor run (0W-1D-4L in their last five), will need to address their defensive depth as they aim to challenge for promotion again.
