MIDDLESBROUGH are expected to engage in contractual negotiations with defender Neil Taylor who’s current deal at the club is up in two weeks time.

The 32-year-old has featured twice in a Boro shirt but has impressed on both occasions where Boro ran out winners against Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest. With the expiration of Taylor’s contract fast approaching, reports suggest a number of Championship clubs are considering a move for the Welshman with West Brom, Bristol City and Coventry City credited with an interest.

Taylor will be available to play for Boro against Mansfield in the FA Cup and against Reading in the Championship before the expiration of his current deal.

Following news that Marc Bola is out for a considered period of time having sustained a training ground knee injury, manager Chris Wilder is keen to keep hold of his only senior left-back in the squad and was adamant he expected to see Taylor stay at the club until the end of the season.

“We're in conversation with Neil as we speak” Wilder told the media before the New Year.

“I think you spoke to him. The professional that he is wants to get the games out of the way. I suspect there will be no issue with that and Neil will be with us until the end of the season.

Now that the festive run of games has reached it’s conclusion, formal talks are expected to take place. Taylor now appears to have a number of options to choose from with the January transfer window officially opening and clubs looking to do business over the next month.

It may well depend on whether the likes of West Brom, Bristol City and Coventry City get business done before the expiration of his contract at Boro.

When asked whether the defender was looking to nail down an extension before Christmas, Taylor said: “It’s not at the forefront of my mind at the minute. Obviously that will be discussed probably after the Christmas period.

“I’m fairly relaxed on it. I enjoy playing football, I enjoy being here and that’s something to look to in the future.”

Boro are on a terrific run of form with three straight league wins but slipped outside the Championship play-off places yesterday after Queens Park Rangers’ victory and Huddersfield Town’s draw.