NEIL WARNOCK has made contract offers to George Friend and Marvin Johnson – and is waiting to hear whether the duo want to re-sign for Middlesbrough.

Both players are currently free agents, with their contracts having expired after Boro’s final game of the season at Sheffield Wednesday.

Warnock would like to keep them, although it is understood the pair have been asked to take reductions on the wages they were previously receiving.

“We’ve offered them deals, but we’ve not had an answer back yet,” said the Boro boss, who returned to work at Rockliffe Park on Monday after a brief family break in Cornwall. “I think they both deserved to be offered new deals.

“Whether they’ll keep the shirt, I don’t know. That’s up to them really, with the signings we’re making. But they’re both very good pros.

“I think Marvin in particular came through at the end, in the last few games, as good as I’ve ever seen him play. I think he’ll enjoy the challenge of trying to keep that position.

“George is George – he’s just good around the club. He’s like a Sol Bamba for me at Cardiff – he looks after the dressing room and makes it a lot easier for you.”