JONATHAN WOODGATE will bring a ‘wealth of experience’ in the battle to keep Middlesbrough in the Premier League claims head coach Steve Agnew.

And Woodgate, after being brought back to his hometown club as first-team coach by the new boss, could also be a crucial figure in the future plans of defender Ben Gibson this summer.

Agnew’s first priority since being handed the managerial reins following Aitor Karanka’s departure earlier this month is to engineer a change of fortunes on the field.

Ahead of a vital trip to Swansea on Sunday in the fight for top-flight survival, Agnew has added Woodgate to his backroom team in a further sign of the trust chairman Steve Gibson has instilled in him.

Having already replaced a number of Karanka’s coaching staff, with former Tottenham coach Joe Jordan and Boro’s Under-23s boss Paul Jenkins arriving, Agnew has moved swiftly to bring in an extra face that should gain instant respect in the dressing room.

Woodgate has been scouting for Liverpool overseas in recent months since retiring from the game shortly after last season’s promotion-winning campaign.

Agnew said: “Jonathan is someone who we know very well, and who in turn knows this club inside and out.

“He brings a wealth of experience from the highest level of the game, and he’s a fantastic character. We’re delighted to have him on board.”

Woodgate has been handed the responsibility of first-team coach, a senior position within the ranks and highlights the faith the chairman and Agnew have in him.

The 37-year-old had two spells with Boro as a player and made 112 appearances during his stints, spanning 2006-08 and 2012-16.

During his playing days he also played for Leeds, Newcastle, Real Madrid, Tottenham and Stoke City, but he has always had an ambition to step into the tactical side of the game.

He said towards the end of his playing career: “When I do finish I want to go into coaching and managing. I know that much.”

Boro's new backroom team is challenged with trying to keep Premier League football at the Riverside after a frustrating 2017.

They head to Swansea – the last side they beat - on Sunday sitting five points and two places below them and go to the Liberty Stadium looking for a first win in the league since before Christmas. Agnew needs to deliver an away win for the first time since August.

Defeat will significantly harm Boro's chances of staying up and that will have a huge bearing on whether or not they can keep homegrown defender Gibson.

There have been further suggestions in the last 24 hours that a string of Champions League chasing clubs will start the bidding for his signature at £25m.

At this stage Everton, Liverpool and Manchester City are three with the strongest interest, although Arsenal, Tottenham and West Ham are keen too.

The 24-year-old, a Boro fan as a boy and the nephew of chairman Steve Gibson, will be in no rush to leave the Riverside, but it will be even more difficult to keep hold of him if relegation is not avoided.

A sign of Gibson’s progress over the last two years was his first call-up to the England senior squad last week for the World Cup qualifier with Lithuania. He is keen for that to be the first of many and dropping down to the second tier would harm his chances.

The dependable centre-back does have a good relationship with Woodgate, another Teessider, so he is sure to seek advice from a player who spent the majority of his career at the top.