Middlesbrough's Kim Hellberg Backs Leo Castledine to Play Big Part
Middlesbrough's head coach Kim Hellberg is backing January recruit Leo Castledine to play a big part in the coming season. Castledine linked up with Boro from Chelsea in the winter window having starred for Huddersfield Town on loan in League One in the first half of the season.
What Happened?
Castledine featured quite prominently in his first few weeks on Teesside, making an impact from the bench at half-time in the 2-1 victory at Stoke and then playing the full 90 minutes in the 4-0 home thumping of Preston. However, he was then sidelined for six games due to an injury.
Why It Matters for Middlesbrough
The fact that Hellberg regularly used Castledine despite his injury struggles shows that the head coach thinks highly of the January addition. With a full pre-season under his belt, Hellberg believes Castledine can be an important player for Boro this season.
What Comes Next?
Hellberg told the Northern Echo in Portugal last week, "I have very big hopes for Leo. Then again, you don't want to put the pressure on him. That was tough for him, the injury that happened. But if you look at him today, how strong he is, how fit he is, it would surprise me if he didn't play a big part this season. That would surprise me."
Middlesbrough's Preparations Continue
Boro returned from their stint in Portugal on Sunday, and preparations for the coming season are now continuing back at Rockliffe. Sontje Hansen and Abdoulaye Kante linked up with the squad again yesterday having been given extended breaks due to international commitments.
Uncertain Futures for Hansen and Kante
Hansen featured for Curacao in the World Cup, while Kante was in action for Ivory Coast's Under-20 side in June. Both players face something of an uncertain future this summer. Hansen was a fringe figure in his first season at the club and after Boro's Wembley defeat to Hull City, the winger told of how he "needs more minutes". Hansen said, "I didn't get chance to show myself that much but the time that I had I gave it my all. Next season I hope for more."
Kante spent the second half of last season on loan in France with St Etienne, who had the option to make the deal permanent, though that was always likely to hinge on whether they won promotion to Ligue 1 and they ended up losing in the play-offs. However, fresh reports emerged from France earlier this month claiming there remains a possibility St Etienne will try to sign the 21-year-old permanently.
