CHRIS WILDER has challenged Josh Coburn to ‘kick on to the next stage of his career’ after the youngster signed a new long-term contract with Middlesbrough.

Coburn has agreed a deal that commits him to the Teessiders until 2025, with the contract also containing an option for a further year.

The Bedale-born 19-year-old burst onto the first-team scene under Neil Warnock at the end of last season, scoring his first professional goal after he came off the bench against Sheffield Wednesday.

He has continued his progress in the current campaign, claiming three more goals in his eight senior appearances in league and cups.

It remains to be seen whether he remains at the Riverside in the second half of the season or is sent out on loan in order to aid his progression, but whatever is decided, he is clearly a major part of the club’s long-term plans.

“He’s earned a new contract,” said Wilder. “His aim now has got to be (to) keep improving and keep learning, and push on to make an impression.

“He’s had a good first part to his career, and now he has to kick on. This is reward for a good start to his professional career.”

Coburn is the latest in a long line of academy players to have progressed to Boro’s first-team ranks in the last decade or so, with the link between the Rockliffe Park youth set-up and the first team remaining a key part of the club’s long-term strategy for success.

“We’re delighted Josh has signed for the long term,” said Boro’s head of football, Kieran Scott.

“He has had an excellent start to his career, but he still has plenty to learn and will continue to develop as a player over the next few years.

“This club has a great history of producing and developing young players, and Josh is another credit to our academy.”

Today’s contract news came as Wilder stepped up preparations for Saturday’s FA Cup third-round tie at Mansfield Town.

The Boro boss has accepted he will have very limited preparation time for the game at Field Mill, but at this stage, the Teessiders fully expect the game to take place despite the Covid crisis that forced the postponement of last weekend’s planned Championship match at Sheffield United.

Boro’s players who did not record a positive Covid test were in training at Rockliffe this morning, and some of those who did contract the virus should begin to return to the training ground in the next 48 hours.

Anyone who tests positive for Covid is permitted to leave isolation provided they produce a negative test result on day six and day seven of their self-isolation period.

It remains to be seen how many of Boro’s affected players that applies to, but it is hoped at least some will be able to rejoin the squad ahead of the FA Cup tie.

Aaron Connolly is available to make his debut at Mansfield, having joined Boro on loan from Brighton, while goalkeeper Sol Brynn is also available after his loan at Queen of the South was cut short.

James Lea-Siliki has left the Boro squad, however, to join up with the Cameroon squad ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations, which begins this weekend.